Harbour cruise sparks rescue call

'Monarch' powers its way through heavy seas inside Otago Harbour about 4pm yesterday. Photo by...
'Monarch' powers its way through heavy seas inside Otago Harbour about 4pm yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
The sight of tourist vessel Monarch apparently battling high winds in Otago Harbour yesterday sparked a search and rescue mission.

A rescue helicopter with members of the Dunedin water rescue squad on board was sent to an area inside the harbour entrance off Te Ngaru.

It was then ascertained no ship was in trouble and the search was called off.

Dunedin police search and rescue head Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said Monarch had been in the area but had moved on.

Searchers were confident the call had come from someone unfamiliar with heavy seas who thought the tourist boat appeared to be struggling in the conditions.

Monarch skipper Rachel McGregor said she was intending to view Taiaroa Head with two visitors on board, but decided to turn back after the westerly winds became "a little extreme" after 3pm.

Monarch had returned to dock without incident.

Port Otago's monitoring equipment recorded average westerly winds of 79kmh at Taiaroa Head at 4.20pm, with gusts up to 144kmh.

The average wind speed recorded in Dunedin at 4.43pm was 53kmh, with gusts of up to 100kmh.

The MetService correctly forecast yesterday that southwesterly winds would rise to severe gale force at times in exposed coastal places from Stewart Island to the Otago Peninsula until this morning.

Some damage to fences and trees was reported in the city.


Add a Comment

 

Advertisement