Coastguard volunteer’s work van broken into during fatal Coastal Classic yacht race callout

Thieves hit Coastguard volunteer Ayden Armitage's work van when he was attending a distress call from the yacht Westlake Boys teacher Simon Smith (inset) was on. Photo / Chris Weissenborn, NZDF

A Coastguard volunteer involved in a dramatic early morning rescue where a man died had his work van broken into and gear stolen when he was on the water.

Unit president Ayden Armitage was aboard Kokako Rescue and answering a distress call from injured crew on a boat in the Coastal Classic yacht race on Friday when his van was broken into.

Westlake Boys High School teacher Simon Smith had been fatally struck by the boom in rough seas and two other crew members were injured during the annual race.

Armitage said returning to base after a rescue mission where someone had died was always tough.

“I was absolutely gutted returning to base dealing with the loss of life so this was a bit of a kick in the guts,” Armitage said.

“We are all volunteers and it was my work van so that’s a real inconvenience to lose stuff but it pales in comparison to what Simon’s family and friends are going through.”

Coastguard volunteer Ayden Armitage was on a rescue mission for Westlake teacher Simon Smith when his work van was broken into.

“My stuff can be replaced so it’s nothing compared to losing someone.”

Thieves smashed the passenger’s window of Armitage’s work van and took tools and bags from the front seats.

They also stole the number plates from another volunteer’s car.

“They took my toolbelt and a couple of grand’s worth of gear. They even took my bath bag with my toothbrush.”

Armitage thought the thieves were “on a bit of a spree” because there had been reports of other break-ins nearby.

The smashed window and stolen gear topped off an emotional and physically draining night for the crew who spent four hours in rough seas during the rescue.

Kokako Rescue received the distress call from the yacht Smith was aboard at 11.29pm.

The Coastguard crew was already on the water, undergoing an intentionally-timed training run, so headed straight out to meet the yacht at Deepwater Cove.

They boarded the yacht at 1am with a medical kit and defibrillator but Smith had died.

The other sailors were assessed, including two with moderate injuries, and Kokako Rescue accompanied the yacht back to Ōpua, where an ambulance met them to further treat the men.

“It was pitch black and some of the roughest seas I had seen there, 4.5 metre swells and 30 knots,” Armitage said.

The crew guided the yacht back in “terrible conditions”, avoiding numerous boats with broken gear and those still sailing in the Coastal Classic.

Coastguard boat Kokako Rescue guided the yacht through rough seas to Ōpua. Photo / Coastguard

The other men on board with Smith were treated for cuts and other injuries.

Armitage said it was disappointing that thieves had hit cars that were obviously owned by volunteers.

“The cars aren’t sign-written because we are all volunteers and have other jobs but it happened in the early hours and was in the Coastguard carpark.

“It’s a new base and we don’t have cameras up but we are hoping to get sponsorship for some soon so this doesn’t happen again.”

Police confirmed they are investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to contact police on 105.

Please reference file number 231021/7618.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.