Auckland charter boat death: Second person jumped in to try to save 25-year-old woman
Friday, 2 April 2021
A second person dove overboard in a bid to save a woman who died after falling from a charter boat in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour.
A 25-year-old woman died from critical injuries on board a Zefiro Charters boat during the incident on Thursday afternoon.
A Coastguard spokesman said the chartered vessel contacted its Mechanics Bay centre to say two people from the boat had gone overboard.
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Both people were brought back onto the charter quickly but the woman who died had suffered critical injuries in the incident.
A police spokesperson confirmed on Friday the second person had jumped into the water to try and save the woman.
It is not clear if the second person was a part of the woman’s party or a crew member.
Police said the second person was uninjured.
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A St John Ambulance spokesperson confirmed this, saying no-one else was treated at the scene, or taken to a hospital.
More details would be released as investigations between police and Maritime NZ continued.
The owners of the charter boat, Lawrence Knight and Ben Mostert, said their hearts went out to the family and friends of the deceased.
“We are shocked and devastated with the events that unfolded yesterday afternoon,” they said in a statement.
“We are currently working with police and Maritime New Zealand who have our full cooperation and will be conducting our own independent investigation to determine what happened.”
The company's website stated that Zefiro was 'no longer taking charters'.
Police said it was too early to comment on the possibility or likelihood of any charges being laid.
On Friday morning, a small group of police, Maritime NZ and security staff could be seen at Auckland’s Viaduct Basin, where Zefiro was docked.
They appeared to be focusing on the front of the boat and its top floor, where they could be seen pulling apart the seating area and taking photos.
Owners from a number of neighbouring boats have said they see the boat moored there often, but did not know the owners.
Calls by Stuff reporters to the phone number listed for Zefiro went unanswered.
A sign on the 60ft boat says it can be booked out for occasions such as BBQ cruises, fishing trips, corporate events and meetings.
The full-day rate for the charter was $4700, according to the New Zealand Charter Guide. It is fully licensed and guests may also bring their own alcohol.
The vessel, which has a maximum speed of 30 knots, had left the viaduct in the afternoon carrying about 30 passengers, police said.
The spokesman said another Coastguard vessel from the North Shore was paged to assist as well as police boats, and a Westpac rescue helicopter were sent to the scene.
A distress call was also put out to other boats in the area to see if any medics were onboard that may be able to help.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies said a crew headed to the incident at 5.30pm.
An intensive care paramedic and doctor were both winched onto the police maritime boat and taken to the patient who died at the scene, he said.
Police said it was working with Maritime NZ to understand how the woman became critically injured.
“Victim Support is being put in place for the other passengers on the boat.”
Fullers 360, which operates ferry services in the harbour, said it went to help after receiving a mayday call from police, a spokesperson confirmed.
Staff prepared its 'person overboard equipment' in case it was asked to assist, and accompanied the boat to Mechanics Bay, where police stood them down.
'We offer our condolences to friends and loved ones.'