A large-scale search and rescue operation near Milford Sound, caused by a fishing boat failing to update rescuers after activating their emergency beacon, has led Police to urge better communication with authorities.

Sergeant Alun Griffiths of Southland Police Search and Rescue says Police were called after the Rescue Coordination Centre’s Maritime Operations received a Mayday call for a vessel in distress in Poison Bay, 8 nautical miles southwest of Milford Sound, at 6.43pm on Thursday, 13 February.

“A joint operation led by RCCNZ and supported by Police was launched, then at 7.14pm a personal locator beacon was activated from the vessel, a 7-metre alloy recreational fishing boat,” Griffiths says.

There was no further communication so Southern Lakes Helicopters and Otago Helicopters carrying medical assistance, and Fiordland Marine Search and Rescue swimmers were deployed to investigate.

“They located the vessel which had been towed off the beach area by another recreational vessel,” Griffiths says. “It was established they were no longer in any danger.”

Police and RCCNZ want to reiterate that the activation of any distress signal will always result in a rescue response that will continue until authorities receive confirmation that the people involved are safe or have been rescued.

“Unfortunately, the people involved failed to answer calls or communicate with authorities once safe, resulting in significant resources being deployed,” Griffiths says.

“RCCNZ would like to remind boaties to always carry two forms of communication – a marine radio and a distress beacon,” he says. “Once a distress call is made by any means please ensure every effort is made to communicate with authorities.”