Flouting water safety rules causing avoidable incidents | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

POLICE AND the harbourmaster recently teamed up to issue a warning, urging people to obey water safety rules. This was in a bid to reduce the number of water incidents in the Rotorua region.

So far this year, the harbourmaster and Rotorua Search and Rescue have been called to several water incidents, which police say could have been avoided.

It isn't just water rescues which the Search and Rescue team gets called to. They assist with finding overdue hunters and trampers and also people who have simply got lost or gone missing.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua police heads the Rotorua Search and Rescue team. The team is made up of both police staff and volunteers.

Mr Wilson has been involved in Search and Rescue for the past 11 years and says the number of Search and Rescue jobs in the year from July 2010 to June 2011 was the highest he had seen.

From July 2010 to June 2011 Mr Wilson said there was 93 search and rescue jobs, 60 of those were land-based search jobs while the rest were water incidents.

From July 2009 to June 2010 there was 89 jobs, 55 land-based and 34 water. Since July 1, 2011 to today, there had been 25 jobs.

"It was very quiet for several months and picked up slightly over Christmas, New Year," Mr Wilson said.

He said that in the last six months there had been 15 land-based jobs and 10 water jobs.

"Historically the split between land and marine jobs was about 50/50," he said.

"In the last few years marine jobs in this area have trended down. I can't offer any explanation why this may have occurred. Unfortunately some of the jobs which are still occurring are very serious, such as the Bishop Thompson jet ski crash and the fatal boating accident at Lake Ohakuri in the New Year."

Mr Wilson said land-based search and rescue jobs were usually reported as people overdue or missing by friends or family.

"Many marine jobs are reported by people who observe things from the shore," he said.

"This is especially true of Lake Rotorua which is visible to many residential properties. It is thanks to the vigilance of many local residents that lives have been saved over the years when they have witnessed a boatie get into distress and raised the alarm early."

Mr Wilson said figures were not available but the majority of searches were launched for domestic tourists to Rotorua. He said very few jobs were for Rotorua residents and international tourists.

He said a common theme with many search and rescue jobs was lack of foresight.

"This can involve being ill-prepared, or being caught out by mother nature. In saying that sometimes, no matter how well prepared you may be, things just happen. Certainly by being prepared you can minimise the chance of things going wrong."

Mr Wilson said the response the Search and Rescue team got from those who had been rescued varied greatly.

"There are those who are grateful for whatever we do, and those who are blissfully ignorant of the trouble and effort people have gone to for them. Generally speaking the pluses outweigh the minuses."

Tramping and hunting tips

• Tell people where you are going and what time you will be back.
• Over-pack - take enough food and clothing for overnight even if you are only planning to be a few hours.
• Have a radio or a means of communication.
• Take appropriate clothing for the conditions.
• If you change your plans - let people know. Tips for staying safe on the lakesBe prepared.
• Take safety gear including life jackets and flares.
• Have a means of communication.
• Tell people where you are going and when you will be back.
• Be sensible.
• Check the weather beforehand.