Capsize – 02/24/2016 – 20:55 to

At dusk a member of the public notified emergency services that a boat had overturned on the Whakatane Bar.  Sea conditions were moderate with 2m swells and 15kt wind from NW.  High tide was at 2101hr.  The boat was a 6m aluminium pontoon boat with 2 POB.  The boat was reported to have been caught by a following wave whilst approaching the bar which resulted in it broaching and overtuning and washing into the Dingy Channel.  At 2106hr Whakatane Rescue was tasked to assist. On arriving at the Dingy Channel the boat was observed to be upside down on rocks near the shore. The 2 POB who were wearing life jackets made it safely to shore. Whakatane Rescue returned to the boat ramp at 2130hr. The boat was recovered from the rocks the next day.