Fuel – 01/14/2016 – 16:41 to

At 1641hr a dingy with 2 POB reported via cellphone to the Police that it had run out of fuel 1nm NW of the Whakatane Bar and needed help. Sea conditions were reasonable with 15-17kt wind from the NW and a 1m swell. An all stations alert was made but there was no response. At 1645hr Whakatane Rescue was tasked to assist.  At 1710hr Whakatane Rescue spotted the vessel and found that a good samaritan had tried to tow the distressed vessel but the tow rope broke. At 1718hr Whakatane Rescue took over the tow and brought the vessel safely back to the boat ramp. In the meantime the good samaritan had broken down so Whakatane Rescue return to tow the second vessel in. At 1740hr both boats were safely back in port.