Six rescued after boat capsized in Whakatāne

Six people have been rescued after their boat capsized while crossing the Whakatāne bar.

Coastguard said a member of the public raised the alarm just after 5.30pm, prompting volunteers to launch a rescue vessel.

It said some of those onboard had managed to reach nearby rocks, while others were initially left holding onto the capsized boat.

Volunteers arrived just before 6pm, where all six people were located on the rocks.

They were rescued and brought back to shore for medical checks.

Coastguard said no bar crossing trip report had been filed prior to the incident.

It encouraged boaties to log trip reports before heading out and close them on return, so search and rescue teams to monitor journeys and respond more quickly if needed.

Officials praised the swift action of the member of the public who raised the alarm, despite low light conditions, saying it was critical in initiating the rescue response.

The incident came just 24 hours after Coastguard volunteers were involved in a search for a missing diver in the same region, which resumed earlier in the day and ended in tragedy.

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