Co-operation to rescue

Two boats which encountered problems on Friday were rescued safely off the coast of Kaikoura thanks to the intervention of both the Kaikoura Coastguard and tour operators.

On Friday morning a Whale Watch vessel responded to a flare which had been set off by a small boat with an outboard motor off the coast of South Bay.

The occupants were two men from Christchurch.

A fire in the motor had resulted in the boat losing its electrical equipment.

The Whale Watch crew alerted the Coastguard and the vessel stood by until the Coastguard boat got to the scene.

The boat was towed back safely to shore by Coastguard.

On Friday afternoon during a strong sudden southerly change a member of Kaikoura Coastguard became aware of a boat which had gone out in the rough conditions and had come to a stop near Baxters reef, also in South Bay.

A fishing tour operator was asked to go and have a look, which ascertained that the boat was indeed in trouble, with a rope wrapped around the prop.

The fishing operator managed to tow the boat in successfully without the need for Coastguard assistance.

Kaikoura Coastguard president John Macphail said both rescues were a good result and in both cases it had been appreciated that local tour operators had helped out.

- © Fairfax NZ News