Drive – 01/16/2016 – 6:55 to

At 0655hr a 6m aluminuim boat with 1 POB reported via CER Duty Officer it had problems. The boat was 0.5nm off the Whakatane Bar.  The motor was running but had restricted power. Sea conditions were good with 0.5m swell from the north. The tide was going out and the boat was not confident of having the power to cross the bar safely. A good samaritan heard the call and offered to tow the boat over the bar. At 0725hr the boat reported that they were both safe back in port.  Many thanks to the good samaritan for the assistance.