Catamaran sinks off Somes Island in calm Wellington waters
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Lifejackets saved the lives of three people on board a catamaran when it sank off Wellington's Somes Island on Saturday, police say.
Police were called after the 6-metre boat ran into trouble, despite relatively calm waters, about 11.45am.
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The adult occupants called the police to say their boat was sinking about 300 metres west of Somes Island, in Wellington Harbour.
A short time later they advised police that their boat had sunk and they were in the sea.
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Police were unable to say why the boat had sunk in such placid conditions and are investigating.
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The Wellington Police Maritime Unit vessel Lady Elizabeth IV was on its way to rescue the trio when a passing yacht spotted the catamaran's occupants in the water and rescued them.
They were subsequently safely returned to shore and were uninjured.
Senior Launch Master Stu Main, of the Police Maritime Unit, said the lifejackets played a major role in preventing potential tragedy.
'Today's incident goes to show just how quickly things can go wrong despite the calm conditions on the water today.
'The fact they were all wearing lifejackets has prevented what could have been a potentially tragic situation.'
Lifejackets also prevented tragedy during another boating incident on July 2 in Wellington Harbour, when a 6.7m recreational boat collided with the sea breakwater wall just outside the Seaview Marina.
The people on board all sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
The boat was damaged and was recovered by commercial operators the following day.
Police are investigating both of the boating incidents.