A quiet day out on the water can turn into a dangerous fight for survival due to factors such as unpredictable weather and choppy seas. Recently, a New Zealand couple's fishing expedition on Lake Taupo went awry when strong winds forced their vessel off-course.
On the afternoon of March 8, the pair decided to anchor their boat for the evening after spending the day catching fish, reports local news source Hawke's Bay Today. The weather quickly changed, causing the anchor to drag and sending the watercraft directly toward a group of rocks underneath a cliff. After the vessel became stuck and the couple realized they couldn't get it free, they put out a mayday call that was picked up by the New Zealand Coastguard.
Because of the position the boat was in, the weather conditions and the rocky shoreline, the Coastguard was unable to get its rescue ship close enough to the watercraft, so a helicopter was called in. Ultimately, the vessel was freed from the rocks and the couple was taken safely back to shore, where they expressed gratitude toward the people who saved them.
"They were cold and wet but okay otherwise," Coastguard Lake Taupo spokesman John Bates. "It was a long night – we went out about 11 p.m. and got back in around 6 a.m. the next morning."
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers watercraft operators face when they are out at sea. With this in mind, it's a good idea for individuals and organizations to work with a marine insurance agency to gain access to the highest-rated providers in the industry and ensure that they are covered in the case of a maritime accident.