Coastguard collision injures racer

Karen Kelland escaped with minor injuries. However, the jet ski is a write-off. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A jet ski racer was lucky to escape with minor injuries when a Coastguard rescue boat collided with her.

Karen Kelland was competing in the Auckland Jet Sport Association women's endurance race at Narrowneck Beach on Saturday morning when her jet ski was hit by a 8.5m rigid hull inflatable Coastguard boat.

She was knocked off as the boat ripped away the jet ski's handlebars and tore the hull and the seating.

Competitors were warned to watch for other vessels so she was scanning the area.

Ms Kelland, who is from Te Rapa, had no idea what had happened until she was in the water and saw the Coastguard boat.

She suffered a cracked rib and injured one of her legs and ankle.

The Yamaha FX jet ski, valued at $25,000, would have to be written off.

The Coastguard's Northern region operations manager, Ray Burgess, said the Coastguard would run an independent investigation into what happened.

Mrs Lisa Dermott, NZ Jet Sports Boating Association president, said for an event to be sanctioned, organisers have to notify the harbour master and Maritime New Zealand, list the event in the newspaper, contact all commercial operators in the area and race marshalls must be on the course at all times.

"All that was done," she said.

Maritime Safety NZ spokesman Ross Henderson said the incident was being investigated at he could not comment at this stage.