The small runabout that was located by police's launch vessel about 6km off Wellington’s South Coast. Photo / NZ PoliceWhile the skipper was scuba diving, Wellington boaties ask to be rescued as they blew out to seaThe small runabout that was located by police's launch vessel about 6km off Wellington’s South Coast. Photo / NZ PoliceA group of boaties stranded in gale force winds and choppy seas off Wellington’s South Coast were rescued earlier this week while the skipper, who was the only one able to drive the boat, was scuba diving. At around 4pm on Thursday, Wellington’s police maritime unit responded to an emergency call from two people on board a 5.4m runabout on Wellington’s South Coast. The boaties also reported that the boat owner and skipper, on the trip with them, was scuba diving closer to shore and had not returned.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 08, 2026 14:11 UTC