Night rescue shows value of training and local knowledge in Otago

A night rescue off the Otago coast has highlighted the value of realistic training, strong local knowledge, and the lessons learned from past incidents, after a Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Search and Rescue (SAR) squad safely brought five stranded boaties to shore on Saturday night. 

The Otago SAR Team was called out just after 5.30pm on Saturday 16 May, after Police received reports of a vessel stuck near the Owaka River mouth in the Catlins while returning from a day of fishing. 

The five people on board had run aground while attempting to cross the river bar on an outgoing tide. Although the group were otherwise well-prepared, they were unable to free the boat and called for help. 

Six members of the Otago SAR squad quickly assembled at the Dunedin SAR base before travelling 90 minutes south with two inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) and specialist night-operation equipment, including powerful torches, strobes and navigation gear. 

After briefing with local Police on scene, the team launched the IRBs at the river mouth near Newhaven Rd shortly after 8.00pm and navigated through to the vessel, with new lighting equipment proving especially valuable as they were in complete darkness during a new moon.

The stranded group were reached in approximately 15 minutes and brought safely back to shore by around 8.25pm, where they were warmed up at the local Police base. No medical treatment was required. 

The rescue operation continued after the group reached safety, with the SAR Team returning to the stranded vessel to help secure it with additional anchors provided by local fishers before the tide returned. 

SLSNZ National SAR Manager Matt Cairns said the rescue was especially significant because the team had trained just last year for almost the exact same scenario in the same location. 

“It was so good to see the Team execute this rescue and bring five people to safety so efficiently thanks to their recent scenario training,” said Cairns. 

The Team completed a SAR exercise in the area last year, which was planned in the aftermath of a fatal boating incident near the Catlins river bar in 2024 (more here). The exercise focused on navigating the challenging local conditions, including river currents, shallow bars, launch points, and operating safely at night. 

Cairns said; “The team used the same launch points and already knew the area well, which gave them more confidence operating in the dark and avoiding running aground themselves. Already being known to locals also made a huge difference when they arrived at the SAR base.” 

The rescue demonstrates SLSNZ SAR’s growing capability and readiness to respond effectively in difficult conditions, including at night and in remote coastal locations.