Family survive night at sea sitting on capsized boat

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 3:13p.m.

By Chris Whitworth

Four people including a 10-year-old boy have survived a night at sea, sitting on top of their capsized boat.

The family and friend of the parents spent the night marooned, after a fishing trip at Waverley Beach yesterday took a turn for the worst.

The family set out on Thursday in their 16 ft aluminium pontoon boat and were last seen and spoken to at around 3pm by friends.

The same friends became worried when they spotted the family’s car and empty boat trailer still at the beach the next morning – and raised the alarm.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched with coastguard boats from Wanganui, South Taranaki and Manawatu all sent in to assist.

Helicopter and aircraft support were also called in.

The group of weary sailors were found around 9.25am this morning by the Wanganui Coastguard – they were seven and half kilometres due south of Wainui Beach.

All four are currently in Wanganui Hospital, though none sustained any injuries but are being treated for exposure to the elements.

Early reports suggest the group’s boat capsized just 30 minutes after they spoke to friends, meaning they spent more than 17 hours on top of their upturned boat.

Search and Rescue Incident Co-ordinator senior sergeant Darcy Forrester said the family were very fortunate.

“These people are very lucky to be alive considering their ordeal; choosing a pontoon boat probably saved them as it is almost impossible to sink this type of boat,” he said.

Mr Forrester says the family were also wearing life jackets and says information from the family that were last to see them assisted in the rescue.

He describes the incident as an “averted tragedy” and urges families to be careful over the holiday season.

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