He's sparked two costly marine searches in the last week, and now inexperienced South African sailor Darius De Wet is apologetic about the inconvenience he's caused the people who have helped him.
"I just want to say thanks to all them, and all the trouble I put them through," DeWet said.
Whakatane Coastguard helped the novice sailor into the Harbour yesterday, over the notorious bar.
It follows two operations to locate him - involving a plane and helicopter - after he failed to check in with a friend as promised, on his way up the coast from Napier.
Authorities have banned De Wet from going further, until he gets the training and equipment he needs.
