Surfer – 07/11/2016 – 16:17 to 17:16

At 1617hr a member of the public notified Coastguard that a surfer may be in trouble off the Whakatane Bar. At 1620hr Coastguard advised Police that a surfer may need assistance to get ashore. At 1640hr another member of the public rang 111 to also report the incident. Police proceeded to the Coastguard Headquarters to observe the incident and decide if any assistance was required. At 1652hr it was decided to call-out Whakatane Rescue in case it was needed. At 1700hr as the crew were preparing the rescue boat for launch, it was stood-down because a Jetski was being launched to help the surfer ashore.  The Jetski and the surfer were safely back in the river at 1716hr. Many thanks to the Jetski operator.