Christmas comes early for Cook Strait kayaker washed out to sea

A series of unfortunate circumstances led to a Cook Strait passenger ferry having to stop mid-journey to assist in a dramatic rescue.

A man was rescued today by the Maritime Police Unit aboard the Lady Elizabeth IV after being swept out to sea in a kayak by the wind and a strong current.

The kayaker launched into Red Rocks in Wellington with plans to fish close to shore, police said.

However, his kayak capsized a few hundred meters out to sea.

The kayaker was then swept out to sea by strong local currents before they managed to get back into the kayak.

Police said the man tried to row back to shore, but the 25-knot wind offshore prevented them from moving forward.

From one unfortunate circumstance to another, he then flipped again and lost his handheld VHF.

He then managed to deploy the anchor to prevent them from being swept out to sea and dragged back to the capsized kayak.

His cell phone was protected by a waterproof bag, but he was unable to call for help because there was no coverage in the area.

To top it off, his life jacket had deflated.

However, the kayaker’s luck changed when a person at the top of the hills noticed him struggling in the water and called the police.

Distress was relayed and the Bluebridge ferry ‘Straitsman’ assisted police by stopping mid-journey to help locate the person.

The police pulled him out of the water around 3 in the afternoon.

Wellington Maritime Unit Senior Sheriff Kyle Smith said things could easily have ended differently.

“Although the man had enough equipment for his company, several things went wrong leaving him to be rescued today.

“The police would like to remind people not to underestimate the weather forecast, check that your equipment is working and always let someone know what your plans are.”