RESCUE BY LIFEBOAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 8

RESCUE BY LIFEBOAT

LAUNCH SWAMPED ON BAR TWO MEN AND GEAR SAVED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHTTECH, Saturday A small launch making for the Port Levy regatta was swamped in heavy seas on the Sumner Bar j-esterday. Tho two occupants, Messrs. Arthur Mills and Jack Coutts, were rescued by the Sumner lifeboat when drifting on to the rocks in the view of hundreds of excited onlookers. Tho launch, which'was heavily laden with holiday gear, refused to ride after shipping a big sea. Her plight was noticed from the shore and the siren was sounded. The lifeboat was quickly launched with the aid of helpers. In the meantime the onlookers divided their interest between the struggling oarsmen rowing against time and tide and the crew of the motorboat, which was drifting eastwards through the breakers, which every moment seemed about to overwhelm her. As tho rescuers reached the scene a line was passed to the two men. Shortly afterwards the waterlogged craft; grounded on a sandbank and stuck fast. The two men then abandoned the boat and were hauled into tho lifeboat. Spars, clothing and gear were later salvaged. Tho launch finally disappeared in a deep channel, where salvage will bo difficult.