Even after being advised his boat had insufficient fuel, a man ventured out on to Lake Waihola with a young boy yesterday and had to be rescued because the engine stopped, police say.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn, of Dunedin, said the man, believed to be a local resident, picked up the boat, which had been serviced at a Waihola garage, and was told by a staff member it had insufficient fuel on board.
Despite the warning, the man took the boat on to the lake, and ran out of fuel about 5.30pm, Snr Sgt Benn said.
A flare was set off from the boat to alert emergency services, and the Lake Waihola Water Rescue team towed the boat back to shore.
Snr Sgt Benn stopped short of criticising the boat owner.
''They could have put some more planning into their trip.
''We could criticise people for being irresponsible, but that only stops them from calling us when they really need help. Our job is to rescue people, not criticise them.
''They [the man and young boy] weren't in any danger. They were just floating around out there. It was a lovely evening for it,'' he said.
