A Maketu coastguard membership given as a present came in handy for a boat skipper who ran aground on the banks of the Kaituna River last week.
Three people on board were knocked around and bruised but otherwise unhurt, when the boat left the water.
A boat ran aground at Kaituna. Photo: Supplied.
The skipper told Maketu Coastguard president Shane Beech he was rounding the bend in the river downstream from the Bell Road ramp, when it felt as though the boat hit something and the wheel was knocked out of his hands.
Shane says it's a reminder to all boaties to remain vigilant even while in calm inshore waters.
'The skipper was given a coastguard membership at Christmas and was feeling lucky in spite of the crash.”
Eastpac Rescue was quickly at the scene, and towed the damaged boat back to the Bell Road ramp.
There was a large hole in the bow where it was hit by a tree branch.
Maketu Coastguard member Geoff Oliver says with the Bell Road boat ramp becoming increasingly busy, it's essential for ramp users to join the Maketu Coastguard unit.
Maketu Coastguard relies on membership to be able to provide the volunteer rescue service.
'If you or a friend or family member regularly use this stretch of water then why not consider buying a membership as a gift, at only $75 per year,” says Geoff.
'In this case it was a very worthwhile Christmas present, he received a free tow back, saving him the alternative charge of $280 per hour for recovery.
'The Coastguard will assist you, whether you are a member or not, but by supporting your local unit and becoming a member, you are helping to ensure it is ability to operate and be available for all who need it.”
The BOP Regional Council navigation and safety bylaw's five knot rule states all boats may travel at no more than a speed of five knots when within 200m of the shore or another boat. Five knots is 9.26km/h.
7 comments
Not a Jet Ski
Posted on 18-01-2016 20:34 | By enis
This guy doesn't get the same hate a Jet ski gets when they crash yet this stuff up is just the same an accident!
Umm enis....
Posted on 19-01-2016 08:17 | By Jimmy Ehu
a few not so subtle differences here!!!, (a) no conjested water traffic, or danger to the public, (b) skipper not seen "hooning around" prior to accident, (c) a paid up coast guard member!! (d) a genuine accident when hitting a submerged log, (e) the skipper has not put himself or his crew in danger by being an idiot!!!, is that enough or as I guess you are another jet ski owner/ menace, you are not concerned about anyone accept yourself.
Be fair
Posted on 19-01-2016 08:41 | By M@M
There is no suggestion the owner of the boat was hooning about like the jet skiers. He hit a submerged log which knocked the wheel out of his hands. This can happen anywhere and anyone, in a river or out at sea. It would help if you know the facts and what you are talking about before you condemn someone.
@Jimmy Ehu
Posted on 19-01-2016 14:54 | By yourthumb
You just projected your feelings on jet skiers on a complete stranger because he made a statement. And those feelings were based on things that you have seen from a few selected people. That is like me reading your comment and then saying that since I have seen some people over fish on boats, and you are against jet skis, then that means you over fish on boats, and you have no respect for anything other than your own greed and ego.
Operators licence
Posted on 19-01-2016 16:00 | By Towball
Every person who is operating a power vessel with a rating of 5hp or greater should be licenced same as motor vehicles & carry registration numbers for ID. Very simple really easy to police & extend authority to senior Coast Guard personal to issue fines removal of craft for drinking speed reckless behaviour including not having sufficient buoyancy aides safety equipment. People transferring road habits to water equally with similar consequences.
@yourthumb....
Posted on 19-01-2016 18:12 | By Jimmy Ehu
please take it out of your nose, but you are correct about my feelings towards jet ski's..... have you heard this one, last summer between Mayor and the Alderman's we came across a jet skier who had left Tauranga for Tiarua to pick his daughter up, on the return trip he ran out of petrol, of course we helped and they where both on their way to safety and Tauranga, stupidity and arrogance, only you can answer that!!!, to compare these 2 accidents is stupid, greed and ego?, here was I thinking that was the domain of jet skiers.
Ding....
Posted on 23-01-2016 16:13 | By GreertonBoy
End of round one lol. Why not everyone calm down and all driver/operators learn to control whatever craft you are operating... be it on water or land, on or off road, it doesn't matter. All vehicle operators need to think before they start blasting around everywhere... I am glad the boaties weren't hurt, but honestly... How can a boat that size doing 5 knots or less, manage to get that far out of the water whether the steering wheel is ripped out of your hands (at 5 knots) or not? One can only assume the usual suspect causes... inattention, speed or lack of skill... and by skill, I mean the fact there may be submerged obstacles are there, that weren't there last time. A friend broke his outboard on a container floating just below the surface.... there is oodles of stuff out there... like that Papamoa log... drivers beware..
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