Three boaties were safely rescued after their boat capsized near Raglan this morning, sparking a multi-agency response.
The incident occurred near Spot X, a remote surf break off Whale Bay.
The trio’s vessel was struck by a large set of waves, capsizing it and forcing them to cling to the upturned hull.
Unable to get mobile reception or locate their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), they were eventually pushed toward jagged rocks by the swell and sustained injuries while scrambling to safety.
The trio had made it to shore by the time the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived on the scene. (Source: Supplied)
Coastguard Raglan responded after being contacted by police at 9am, dispatching a rescue vessel and two jetskis.
Raglan Surf Life Saving Club also assisted, while the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent at 9:22am.
Upon arrival, the helicopter winched critical care paramedic Jono Sampson in to assess the men, who were found to be in moderate to minor conditions.
The trio were extracted by winch and taken to Manu Bay where they were met by surf personnel.
A Coastguard Raglan spokesperson said the men were “cold, shaken, and cut up from the rocks” but lucky to be alive.
“As they were being checked over, they shared that their lifejackets had kept them afloat and helped prevent more serious injuries. They were in no doubt — those lifejackets saved their lives. Without them, the outcome could have been very different.”
It is the third serious capsize response that Coastguard Raglan has undertaken in just two weeks.
Four people were rescued after their boat sank off Raglan on May 11, with three adults and one teenager found floating in the water clinging to a chilly bin.
