Runabouts’ occupants rescued

Press, 29 December 1986, Page 1

Runabouts’ occupants rescued

Four men were rescued when two runabouts sank in Canterbury waters at the week-end. The men were wet and cold when picked up by other vessels, but none needed medical attention. One of the craft which sank, the Overdraft, was poorly equipped, said the Canterbury Volunteer Coast Guard.

Too many , boat owners were taking risks by setting out in vessels without proper gear, said the president of the Coast

Guard, Mr Garry Freeman.

Mr David Ray, of St Albans, was rescued by the Sumner-based fishing vessel, Passat, after his 5m unnamed runabout sank off Godley Head about - 2 p.m. yesterday. Mr Ray was in the water when he was seen by the Passat. He was picked up unharmed. The Coast Guard vessels Daniel J. and Margaret went to the aid of the stricken runabout. The Margaret towed the runabout, which was sub-

merged, back to Naval Point in Lyttelton, where she arrived about 4.30 p.m. after a two-hour haul.

The Overdraft was holed when she struck a submerged object in water off Gollins Bay, just east of Cashin Quay in Lyttelton, about 2.45 p.m. on Saturday. The object, possibly a log, knocked a hole 30cm square in the hull of the plywood runabout. .'She sank immediately. Her owner, Lance Bazley, and two companions,

Keith Joyce and Brendon Bagot, all of Christchurch, clung to the semi-sub-merged vessel.

The vessel had no radio, lifejacket, flares, or anchor, and the men were not wearing warm clothing, said Mr Freeman. • , She was an 'older-type craft which did not have buoyant fuel .tanks. “They were ill-equipped for .what happened,” said Mr Freeman. The three men were picked up by a passing yacht about 3 p.m., soon after the accident. The yacht radioed the Lyttelton Harbour signal tower which got in touch with the Coast Guard. Mr Freeman said that the 8m Coast Guard vessel

Margaret went to the scene to find the Overdraft floating just below the surface. She was hitched to the Margaret, which was skippered by Mr Bob Lindsay, and towed bapk to Naval Point. The vessel had a hole in the hull and windows from the small cabin had also been pushed out. Mr Bazley could not be reached for comment last evening. " Mr Freeman said that the Coast Guar4 had; had a busy week-end, going to the aid of a number of vessels. He said that he was concerned that boat owners were not taking note of conditions at sea. Further report, page 8