Inquiry call after 'botched' rescue

An independent inquiry is being called for into the alleged botched rescue of two fishermen who drowned off Northland.

Last night there were claims that the Police Northern Communications Centre bungled the handling of the attempt to rescue fishermen Greg Thirkettle, 24, and Mark Scott, 25, whose boat the Iron Maiden sank last August.

Mr Thirkettle's partner, Chontelle Delacroix, last night called for an independent inquiry.

"I want something sorted out so it doesn't happen again at least," said the 21-year-old Hastings woman.

Yesterday, Act leader Rodney Hide released recordings of the conversation between the police and the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) the night the men drowned.

He said the RCC rang the police 13 minutes after the Iron Maiden's mayday call, requesting that a rescue helicopter be launched immediately.

"Shockingly, staff at the police Northern Communications Centre mucked the RCC around for the next two hours, as they bluffed and misled their way through the botched rescue."

Mr Hide has written to Prime Minister Helen Clark asking for an independent inquiry.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said she had not yet seen his letter.

National manager of police operations, Superintendent Tony McLeod, said on Close Up last night that he was "very comfortable" with the way the police communications centre responded.

The Herald on Sunday reported in April that a draft Transport Accident Investigation Commission report found the boat should not have been out in the conditions with an unfamiliar crew.

"While there were some delays in rescue and search craft, particularly the helicopter ... those delays did not alter the tragic outcome of this incident," the report said.

A Maritime Safety Authority report found Mr Thirkettle had smoked a cannabis cigarette in the eight hours before he died.

It also found he was not qualified to undertake the voyage; that damage to a wooden hatch had most probably caused the sinking; and it was unreasonable to proceed in the weather.