The Northland Rescue Helicopter crew were involved in rescuing two of six people after their catamaran ran aground at the Mokohinau Islands off Northland. Photo /Northland Rescue Helicopter
The Northland Rescue Helicopter crew were involved in rescuing two of six people after their catamaran ran aground at the Mokohinau Islands off Northland. Photo /Northland Rescue Helicopter
A navigational miscalculation may have led to a catamaran crashing in to rocks near islands off the Northland coastline but rescuers say the six people onboard then followed the correct procedures to ensure their quick rescue.
The 9m catamaran, named Questing, struck rocks off Mokohinau Islands, lying 25km northwest of Great Barrier and 35km due east of the Hen and Chickens, about 5am yesterday. The vessel quickly took on water and sank.
Police maritime unit supervisor Sergeant Garry Larsen said a 111 call was received by the police communication centre from a distressed person saying they had run aground.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) was alerted as was the police maritime unit.
Soon after the RCCNZ also had an emergency beacon activation from the area.
Larsen said a mayday day call was put out to vessels in the area for help.
The navy ship Hawea was about three hours away and diverted in case it was needed. The Ports of Auckland pilot vessel Wakatere was also sent to the location.
"Because it was time critical we decided to send two helicopters because of the numbers involved," Larsen said.
The six people managed to get in a dinghy and get to shore as the boat sank.
Two helicopter crews were involved in the rescue of six people from the Mokohinau Islands. Photo / Northland Rescue Helicopter
Northland Rescue Helicopter pilot Peter Davies and co-pilot Spencer Putwain said it appeared the catamaran had struck rocks and was taking on water rapidly.
The crew in the Westpac helicopter were able to hover, with a skid on the rocks, allowing four of the people, two adults and two children, to climb onboard.
Putwain said the Sikorsky helicopter used by the Northland Rescue Helicopter team was a bigger aircraft and needed to stay well clear of the rocks. So the team opted to lower a paramedic on to the rocks and winched the remaining two adults safely into the helicopter.
Weather conditions for the rescue were perfect, with just a gentle southwest breeze.
Both aircraft took the rescued boaties to the Northland Rescue Helicopter base at Kensington Park alongside the St John base. The six people were checked over at the base and given coffee before arranging their own transport home.
While an unintentional error may have been behind the unfortunate grounding, Larsen said the crew then followed correct procedures and had all the necessary safety gear to raise the alarm.
The Auckland harbourmaster was involved in the salvage of the catamaran.
The pest-free Mokohinau Islands are home to skink and muttonbird populations. The Mokes, as they are affectionately called by keen snapper hunters, are the highest points of a large underwater reef structure.
A lighthouse is on Burgess Island in the middle of the three islands of the Mokohinau group. It is one of the most distant lighthouses from the mainland.
The Mokohinau Islands are now part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park and are administered by the Department of Conservation. Burgess Island is the only one of the Mokohinau Islands allowing public access.
The other islands are nature reserves and protected wildlife sanctuaries, and landing is only permitted with a permit.
