Available 24/7

Skipper Paul reporting - second call out 17th January 2026

Having just got home at around 1845hrs the pager went off again at around 1913hrs so we all assembled back at the boat.

Most had managed to get something to eat, Andrew was still working on his Kebab and Craig's mum had fed him a roast dinner, his family's Saturday night tradition.

It was obvious the weather was getting worse and so we set off to our target expecting a long evening. Our customer was a 7.5 m aluminium boat with mechanical issues off the SW of Little Barrier.

By the time we got to Maori rock the seas were getting up and the wind was 20 knots plus. Later, by the time we got to our target the winds recorded at Tiri were around 40 knots and above, with seas growing as well. We had a slow trip out as conditions only really allowed for speeds of 12-15 knots.

When we got to our target we communicated by radio as it was too rough to come along-side. Then we used a throw line to transfer a tow line and hooked them up for a long tow to Omaha. All on the back deck had to be tethered on to the boat while working.

The seas meant being only able to do around 7 knots (in reality between 5 and 10 knots) with much pushing around from the following sea.

Finally, back top Omaha where we did the paperwork and got the boat back on the trailer.

Then a very lumpy ride back to Sandspit with many waves over the cabin and under the keel.

Great work by Andrew to get us there and to hold station to set up the tow. On the back deck Luke and Craig got the tow sorted, then Craig got us safely back to Sandspit, while Sean sorted the Nav station and radios. All took a battering and got wet.

Special mention to Airberth Al, who met us at 0130 hrs when we got back to help with the boat raise even though the rain was coming down like stair rods.

Luckily we had already arranged another crew with Thelma as the next skipper and fresh people because then we had another tasking. We really do aim to be available 24/7…