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It was the second boat to have problems at that location this week.
Sergeant Major Brian Benn said two people got out of his boat while crossing the bar on the high side at 9.55 a.m.
A four-meter aluminum boat was overturned by a series of waves.
“Fortunately, they were wearing life jackets and managed to swim a short distance to shore where they were located with the help of First Response Taieri Mouth, some local fishermen and an off-duty police officer,” he said.
Surf Life Saving and the Otago rescue helicopter were removed after the boats were safely ashore, but required medical assistance due to hypothermia and shock.
Snr Sergeant Benn said it was good that the crew were wearing life jackets and that they had possibly prevented them from drowning.
“They also had good lines of communication and two engines on board, so they certainly came prepared for their journey.”
While the weather was relatively calm at the time of the incident, the sea became rough an hour later.
Snr Sergeant Benn said that regardless of the time of year, the weather could change “in an instant” and make crossing difficult at high or low tide.
Earlier in the week, a 28-foot cabin boat sank in the bar at Taieri Mouth at low tide, causing four people to need to be rescued.
“Water safety is very important and a few simple common sense checks can prevent unnecessary tragedies.
“When navigating it is important to be familiar with the boating hazards in your area to ensure safe passage, especially at the Taieri Mouth bar.”
He said boaters should always wear a life jacket, have two waterproof forms of communication, inform someone on shore about their trip intentions, check the water and weather forecast, and ensure equipment is safe. .
As for leaving the Taieri Mouth bar, I had the following tips:
• Before leaving the harbor, a skipper must assess the conditions at the bar.
• Skippers should be aware that a rapid change in conditions could prevent a safe return to port.
• Vessels that cannot weather the adverse sea outside the bar should not leave the port.
• Those vessels departing for longer voyages should ensure they have sufficient reserve fuel and provisions to allow the vessel to remain at sea and / or divert to another port if adverse bar conditions prevail upon return.
• Make sure your boat has sufficient stability.
• All containers must be in stable condition.
Captains must also know all the factors that determine the stability of a boat, including:
• The effect of free surface of liquids and loose fish.
• Additional weights on deck, including portable ice slurry containers and fuel containers.
• Loss of stability that occurs if deck enclosures or containers suddenly fill with water
• Modifications to a boat can be detrimental to its stability.
• The movement of weights inside the boat, including people.
