Lone dog sparks search and rescue operation

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was also called to help. Photo / File

A search and rescue operation was launched yesterday after a boat was spotted doing circles on the Waikato River with no one on board but a dog.

Auckland Maritime Police notified the Coastguard of a possible man overboard incident on the Waikato River, near Tuakau Bridge, yesterday afternoon, operations manager for Coastguard Northern Region, Ray Burge, said.

The man's boat was spotted by members of the public, doing small circles with the outboard motor running, he said.

There was only a dog on board.

A search and rescue operation was launched and Coastguard vessels, the New Zealand Steel Rescue, and the Post Rescue were tasked, Mr Burge said.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was also called to help with the rescue operation.

However, members of the public soon found the man, who had been wearing a lifejacket when he went overboard, and had managed to swim to safety.

Another member of the public used their boat to rescue the man's dog, and secure his boat.

Coastguard and rescue helicopter crew were later stood down.