Jet skier's fishing detour ends in drama

A Methven man who detoured for a bit of fishing on Lake Benmore when on his way to see his girlfriend in Dunedin had a lot more drama than he expected on Saturday.

Harry Jackson (19), contractor worker, had to be towed to shore when his Yamaha jet ski failed to start out on the lake, then began taking on water.

He was well equipped with a personal locator beacon, a mobile phone, flare and wearing a lifejacket. However, police said his trip still could have ended in disaster if he had gone into the water with the clothes he was wearing.

''He was a bit surprised when I told him I doubted he would have lasted more than 10 to 15 minutes [in the water] and would never have made it ashore,''Constable Craig Bennett, of Kurow, said.

''A lot of people don't know how cold that lake can get.''

But Const Bennett also said at least Mr Jackson was wearing a lifejacket and did have a beacon and forms of contact.

Mr Jackson acknowledged to the Otago Daily Times that he ‘‘was not dressed ideal'' with trackpants, a woollen jersey, dive boots, gloves and lifejacket.

Next time he would probably consider wearing a wetsuit, which would help protect him in the water.

After launching the jet ski from Sailor's Cutting in the morning, Mr Jackson went across the Ahuriri arm and when he was about 150m to 200m from the mouth of the gorge he discovered the jet ski would not start.

Water had drowned the battery and was continuing to leak into the jet ski.

Although mobile phone reception was patchy, he managed to get a text to his father in Methven, who then notified police.

After that and activating the locator beacon, Mr Jackson had to wait about half an hour, which he said was ‘‘pretty quick'', for a boat to tow him back to Sailor's Cutting.

Const Bennett said a helicop ter operating in the area was able to be called in to monitor the situation and stay overhead to direct two boats on the lake to Mr Jackson.

''He was a little embarrassed, but thankful.''

While having safety equipment, Mr Jackson was ‘‘very lucky'' he did not end up in the water, but he did the right thing and stayed where he was until rescue boats arrived, Const Bennett said,

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