On Saturday night, Coastguard Kaipara said it received an urgent callout at 5.30pm after a vessel had capsized in the water past the bar. “By pure chance, they were picked up after two hours in the water by a passing boat heading home,” it said in a Facebook post. Coastguard Kaipara praised the actions of the boaties after they were unlucky to be hit by a wave. Photo / Michael Cunningham“[They] were wearing lifejackets, stayed together and had attempted to make a bar crossing report. Photo / Coastguard KaiparaThis was an example of how quickly the situation can change on the bar, the Coastguard said.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 22, 2026 15:38 UTC