Rescuers ask why waka was out in rough seas

Hawkes Bay emergency services are questioning why six people paddled their waka out in 3m swells and "shocking" conditions without a support crew.

All six had to be rescued by the coastguard on Saturday after the waka capsized several times before becoming swamped. Hawkes Bay Coast Guard president Charlie Rycroft said the crew had put themselves in danger of hypothermia or drowning by taking the waka out in those conditions.

He said questions needed to be asked about who was in charge and why they had gone out.

"Why was a decision to turn back not made after the waka capsized the first time? They should have had a support crew with them. They were lucky enough to be rescued after someone on shore saw the boat. There are quite a few unanswered questions like what forms of communications, if any, they had for calling for help," he said.

The Hawkes Bay volunteer coastguard was dispatched, along with the Lowe Corporation helicopter, after a call was made at 12.30pm.

Coastguard skipper Glenn McAdam said the coastguard put a tow line between the boat and waka and the crew had to swim across to the boat.

"They wouldn't leave their paddles behind and they were definitely struggling to get aboard," he said.

When the coastguard reached the waka it was 600m offshore and Mr McAdam said it would have been impossible for the crew to swim or paddle it to land.

The coastguard took all six occupants into the Hawkes Bay Fishing Club where they were treated by ambulance staff and taken to Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital.

- NZPA