KEY POINTS:
The father of an 8-year-old boy rescued from the Marlborough Sounds after going on a fishing trip without a lifejacket will escape criminal charges.
Picton Harbourmaster Dave Baker said one of his rangers interviewed the Wellington resident yesterday morning and was satisfied the near-drowning did not need to be referred to the police.
"The sea is a treacherous master and initially I thought the same thing: 'Who is this wally?' But these things can happen," said Baker.
"But a kiddie could have lost his life. Kids should be wearing lifejackets all the time, especially if unsupervised."
Baker said the holidaying Wellington family of five - including three children - and a pet dog, were returning to Picton from a day of fishing at about 5pm on Friday.
The father, Bernard, who did not want his surname published, told the harbour ranger his children were not wearing lifejackets because they were supposed to stay inside the cabin.
But while Bernard was sharpening a knife, 8-year-old Riley went outside to fill a bucket with water and was dragged in by the strong pull of the water.
He called for his father but Bernard did not hear his shouts over the sound of the 12.8m vessel's two engines.
The boy was slowly sinking and 2km behind his father's boat when he was plucked to safety by a passing fisherman.
Once Bernard realised his son was missing he turned the craft around - then the other boat appeared with Riley, "much to the family's relief", said Baker.
Police sergeant Lindsay Turner said Riley could have drowned without the quick actions of rescuer John Fisher.
Initial reports suggested Bernard was less than grateful when Fisher returned his son.
"The guy never even stopped his boat," Fisher told the Press.
"I said 'Are you missing something mate?' He said 'No, what's your problem?'
"He had all these kids on board and none of them had lifejackets - he didn't say anything, he just drove off."
Baker said his ranger heard a different version of events and the father was very upset.
The ranger said Bernard had expressed his gratitude for Fisher's help, and he planned to invest in self-inflating lifejackets to be worn at all times on the boat.
