Three men have been rescued after their boat capsized amid 20-knot winds and strong swells in Christchurch’s Banks Peninsula this afternoon.
At 1.09pm, police received a distress call from one of three men stating they had reached Little Akaloa Heads when their engine failed, a Coastguard spokesperson told 1News.
The vessel was abandoned after swells of up to 2 metres pushed the boat onto the rocks.
After abandoning their vessel, the group split up as two tried to make their way around the cliff, while one stayed closer to the boat.
Volunteers from Coastguard Sumner and Coastguard Canterbury, and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter based in Christchurch responded.
Coastguard Sumner Blue Arrow rescue skipper Anthony Honeybone said volunteers rescued two of the men off the rocks and medically assessed them on board.
“They were shaken up and cold but fine and were reunited with their family onshore,” he said.
A third man was winched to safety before being taken back to shore.
Coastguard Canterbury’s rescue vessel Canterbury Rescue and Coastguard Sumner’s Hamilton Jet Rescue were en route to the scene before being stood down.
Honeybone advised boaties to ensure their vessel “is in good working order, and you’re experienced for the conditions you’re going out in”.
“Anyone can break down; it happens to the best of us.”
Anita Osborne, a police officer based in Akaroa, told 1News it was really windy at the time of the yacht capsizing.
“The rescued people left with others before I got to the wharf after Coastguard dropped them off.”
