Rescue as fuel dries up

Coastguard Hawke's Bay vessel Celia Knowles tows a 50ft launch which had run out of fuel on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

Coastguard Hawke's Bay was called to rescue a 50ft launch that had run out of diesel almost 48km off Napier Port on Sunday.

The launch with three people on board had been travelling to Picton.

President Henry van Tuel said because the distance offshore was outside the Coastguard's rescue survey limits, dispensation was required from Maritime New Zealand.

"Celia Knowles Rescue then loaded additional fuel and departed Napier about noon and arrived at the launch just after 1pm," he said.

Several hundred litres of fuel were transferred and it was decided to tow the launch while the fuel lines were bled. This took time and the launch was finally able to start its engines at about 5pm with the vessels about 9km off the port.

It is understood the launch's owner lives in Christchurch and was bringing a boat from Whangarei to Picton.

"We probably get two or three similar taskings each year, the last one was only a couple of weeks ago, that was a yacht going from Picton to Tauranga."

Because the owner was a Coastguard member, the tow cost him nothing.

"One of the benefits of Coastguard membership is a free assist regardless of which unit you belong too. We did charge him for the fuel transferred. If they are not members we charge them $280 per hour. For example the yacht a week or so ago was not a member and that cost him just over $1000."

People are not charged for "emergency" callouts.

Mr van Tuel said the incident was a good reminder for skippers to ensure they had enough fresh fuel on board.