Three men have been dramatically rescued after spending approximately six hours in the sea off New Zealand's eastern coast, their survival hinging on a single lifejacket.
A Sudden Capsize in Calm Seas
The ordeal began on Tuesday morning when the trio set out from shore at around 8.00am in calm conditions aboard their 24-foot aluminium vessel. Their trip turned to disaster almost immediately after departure when the boat's hull became entangled in a craypot line. The vessel overturned without warning, throwing all three men into the water near Tolaga Bay.
With little time to react, the sailors were left with only one lifejacket between them, along with a bucket and a petrol can, to keep themselves afloat. Coastguard Gisborne skipper Aaron Boyle later confirmed the speed of the incident, stating, "They didn't have time to grab anything."
Major Multi-Agency Search Operation
The rescue mission was launched after a commercial fishing vessel spotted the upturned boat at around 11am and alerted the police. Authorities swiftly contacted the Coastguard's National Operations Centre, triggering a large-scale search.
The operation involved a coordinated effort from multiple agencies:
- Coastguard Gisborne, which launched a rescue vessel staffed by three volunteers.
- New Zealand Police units.
- The military's Poseidon P-8 surveillance aircraft.
- The Eastland Rescue helicopter.
- Surf Life Saving's Gisborne Search and Rescue team.
Teams combed a vast area for hours. The breakthrough came at 2.39pm when the P-8A Poseidon aircraft spotted the three individuals in the water. The Rescue Coordination Centre then directed the rescue helicopter and the Coastguard vessel to their precise location.
Survivors Found Suffering from Exhaustion and Cold
The Coastguard volunteers successfully recovered the exhausted trio from the water and transported them back to Tolaga Bay. Ambulance crews were on standby to assess and treat the survivors upon their return to shore.
Maritime New Zealand confirmed all three were the only people aboard the capsized vessel. One person was listed in a moderate condition and was transferred to an ambulance for further care. Officials noted that every survivor was suffering from severe exhaustion and the early effects of hypothermia after their prolonged immersion.
Skipper Aaron Boyle emphasised their incredible fortune, saying, "They are so lucky. Six hours in the water is a long time – especially with all three people holding onto one lifejacket." He added, "Everyone is really elated they were found alive and well. It could have been a different story."
Alex Taylor, a watch leader at the Rescue Coordination Centre, praised the collaborative effort. He described the mission as "a fantastic example of agencies and local operators working together to achieve the best possible outcome," adding that the quick and professional response from all teams made a critical difference.
