Four boaties saved after craft flips

By CLAIRE TREVETT

Four Mangawhai residents were fortunate an off-duty lifesaver was surfing nearby when their boat flipped over at Mangawhai Heads, trapping one of them underneath.

The four, including a 16-year-old youth, were crossing the bar about 7.30pm on Saturday when their 6m launch came off a wave, breached on the bar and flipped over, spilling them overboard and trapping one inside.

Mangawhai surf lifesaver Dean Storey said patrols had ended two hours earlier, but his colleague Murray Dix was surfing on the bar.

Mr Dix helped three of the men get on top of the boat's hull and then dived under the boat to free the trapped man, who was in an air pocket with his lifejacket on.

After a few attempts he managed to free the man and put him on to the hull.

Minutes later, Mr Storey arrived to pick up the men on the club's Searider, after seeing the flipped boat from the surf club where he was having dinner.

Mr Storey said the conditions were not too treacherous, with a 1m swell on the bar. However, they were lucky help had been on hand in the form of Mr Dix.

"Any situation where someone is trapped under a boat is a sketchy situation. If he [the trapped man] hadn't managed to find an air pocket, then the potential is there for a drowning. And when someone is under an upturned boat with tackle and lines floating around, there is a definite risk for the lifesaver there."

None of the men were hurt and the only victims were the results of the day's fishing.

"They lost their catch and I understand it was quite a significant catch."

Mr Dix towed the boat into shore, where the owners and harbourmaster later discussed what repair work would be needed.

You can help

More than 1000 lifeguards performed over 60,000 voluntary hours patrolling northern region beaches last summer and saved the lives of 789 people. Donations can be made online at Surf Life Saving Northern Region or by mail to Box 2195, Auckland.