Welcome vessel 1 and also vessel 2

Today's 1630 callout was to a family in a 6m runabout, trying to get back from a day trip to Gt Barrier Island, but who had succumbed to an electrical failure with the outboard, a couple of miles off Omaha Beach.

(Note to self - don't ever think "well that shouldn't take long"....)

As we made our way out of Sandspit, I could hear our radio operator talking to another boat and discussing the options of a tow to either Gt Barrier or Omaha.

The prospect of getting home in time for dinner was starting to fade. Shortly after this was the call of "Skipper please phone Ops".....yip, we'd be touring the outer Gulf tonight and dinner wasn't going to be hot.

However, the first boat was anchored north of Tawharanui and everyone was very happy to see us - seldom do we get such a welcome. The crew quickly had the tow rope attached and they were once again underway, just a little quieter this time. They were dropped back at the Omaha ramp and were getting sorted to go back on the trailer as we headed east again, this time aiming for Horn Rock.

Fortunately it was a calm night, and about an hour later we detected a lonely dot on our radar, which was another very grateful boatie. He'd been drifting around for hours and was decidedly chilly by now. The problem with this outboard was probably just a fouled plug, but without suitable tools on board, he was stranded. And Horn Rock is a long way from anywhere.

This boat also joined our "Tow rope club" as we headed back to Omaha again.

To be fair, it was a nice night on the water...especially if your boat engine worked....and Neale was keeping himself entertained on the back of our boat taking "wake" photos while the muesli bar box was being passed around for this evening's meal. (Thanks New World Warkworth)

After a 2.5hr round trip, we were back at Omaha again, with another very thankful, if chilly, customer. As he wasn't a Coastguard member, it was an expensive day out..

All good - we zoomed back to Sandspit, refueled and then found - oh no - WE ALSO had electrical issues - one engine wasn't interested in starting, to move the 50m back to our berth. (Fortunately engine number 2 was a happy box of steel & wires & played the game). Something to sort out tomorrow.

Thanks to the crew of Dave, Neale, Len & Rod - back in his overalls and ready for a summer on the water. (Wake photo Neale Wills)