A 100m to 200m swim through metre-high swells by a Dunedin police officer to get to a capsized yachtie has been lauded by his boss.
Inspector Jason Guthrie, of Dunedin, called Constable Rhys Davidson's actions in the Otago Harbour today "the kind of conduct that makes you proud to be a police officer''.
Const Davidson stripped down to his underwear to swim out to 16-year-old Thomas George after a 9.30am call-out from members of the public concerned about his safety after his boat capsized.
Thomas was sailing a yacht to his father's sailing class at the Vauxhall Yacht Club from Macandrew Bay when he capsized near the Cove.
Thomas' father Neil George also attended the incident with students from his class in an inflatable speed boat.
Const Davidson (40), a general duties constable and qualified protection officer, said he and another officer answered the call-out.
On the way out he asked the other officer to drop into Vauxhall Yacht Club, where, although he did not know it, the boy's father was teaching his students about sailing.
When he got to the incident there were about six members of the public, and the upturned hull of the yacht was between 100m and 200m out.
"I looked out there, and you could see there were white-caps and the conditions were rough.
"You could see the shape of a person clinging to the hull.
''Without knowing the situation I said to my partner 'I'm going out there, I'm swimming out there'.''
"She said 'are you sure, are you a good swimmer'?''
A member of the public who had a wetsuit with them also offered to swim out.
Const Davidson said waves were breaking over his head as a swam out, and he was "taking in some water".
He was not a regular swimmer, but was confident of his ability.
It was not a frightening experience, as his goal was to get the Thomas.
"Had I been standing on the bank and this person disappeared from view, it's not something I'm comfortable with.
"I'd happily say any police officer would do the same. I just happened to be the first police vehicle there.''
Once Const Davidson got to Thomas, he found he was safe, and "happy to see me''.
"I apologised I didn't bring my notebook and pen with me.''
The rough sea meant the boat hit Thomas in the head while he was waiting.
"You did certainly have to hang on.''
Thomas was wearing a wetsuit and life jacket and was an experienced sailor, but the sea had "chopped up'' after he left.
By the time his father arrived in the inflatable, Thomas was starting the cramp up.
Const Davidson said the water was cold, but he was not getting close to hypothermia despite it being a cold choppy day.
''The young guy was safe and well and that was the outcome we want.''
Mr George said his son was getting a ribbing for being splashed across local media, but was "absolutely'' fine.
