Fuel – 03/05/2016 – 18:15 to

A 6m aluminium boat with 6 POB reported to CER SAR by phone that it had run out of petrol.  The vessel reported that it was halfway between Kohi Point and White Island although the GPS coordinates that it provided was found to be on land.  Sea conditions were good with a 8-10kt wind from NW and a calm sea. At 1815hr the Duty Officer was informed of the incident.  A good samaritan out-bound to White Island checked the boat and found the crew safe but could not provide a tow back to Whakatane. At 1833hr Whakatane Rescue was tasked to assist and at 1910hr was underway.  A search was conducted and the vessel was found at nightfall at 1933hr. The vessel was taken under tow with 4 of the 6 passengers onboard Whakatane Rescue.  At 2040 both vessels were safely back in the river.