Survived capsize ‘shocked’ Kaiko¯ura boat tragedy victim ‘feared water’

Police yesterday were tight-lipped into whether a whale caused the capsize, only describing the incident as a ‘‘collision’’. It’s understood original distress calls from the vessel had mentioned a whale. Large whales had been seen in the area in recent times, according to Kaiko¯ura mayor Craig Mackle.

The town has a thriving whale watching tourism industry.

Following the capsize, horrified witnesses saw people on top of the boat, waving their arms; while a substantial search and rescue operation that would last hours got under way. Witnesses watched as a rescue helicopter, Coastguard volunteers, and divers were called in throughout the afternoon.

Pilot Daniel Stevenson was one of the first on the scene and said the Coastguard arrived very quickly.

‘‘We basically went down to have a look and make sure, if there was anybody floating in the water, that we could keep an eye on them until they were able to get a boat alongside and be rescued.’’

At a media conference, Kaiko¯ura police Sergeant Matt Boyce described the incident as ‘‘unprecedented’’, leading to a ‘‘significant response of emergency services and members of the public, and Kaiko¯ ura maritime community’’.

‘‘This has been a tragic event and the police are providing support to those involved at this very difficult time.’’

Mackle appeared visibly distressed, when he described the sea conditions as ‘‘really, really’’ good. Earlier in the day he had described a town on tenterhooks as the recovery mission was under way.

‘‘It’s not great. You’ve got this sick feeling.’’ The bodies were recovered and brought back to shore shortly before sunset, at South Bay, a few kilometres south of Kaiko¯ ura. By 4pm the boat, previously seen upside down in the water, was being towed to shore, while people gathered on the shore to watch. It appeared to be undamaged.

An onlooker said it seemed ‘‘like a freak accident’’. ‘‘Everyone’s very shocked.’’

Surviving members of the bird watching group declined to comment, as did the owner and operators of Fish Kaiko¯ ura.

It’s the second significant fatal boating disaster of 2022. In March, five men died when fishing charter boat Enchanter capsized near North Cape after being struck by a freak wave.

Additional reporting: Amy Ridout, Blair Ensor.

One of the five victims killed after a Kaiko¯ ura fishing boat capsized was a kind-hearted, humble man who was scared of water, his daughter says.

Christchurch man Peter Charles Hockley likely drowned after a weekend away turned into a tragedy.

His daughter, who asked not to be named, confirmed the family was told of his death late on Saturday afternoon. She was told her father had been in the cabin of the fishing charter boat alongside the other four victims when it capsized.

Initial reports suggested the boat was overturned by a whale but that has not been confirmed.

‘‘We don’t even know who else is dead and who else survived. We just know that Dad was one of the ones in the cabin,’’ his daughter told Stuff at her parents’ Halswell home.

She paid tribute to her ‘‘amazing’’ father, saying he was an incredible photographer. Hockley and 10 other people were on a Nature Photography Society of New Zealand field trip and were participating in a three-hour boating trip using Fish Kaiko¯ ura Charters on Saturday.

Normally, Hockley’s wife, Ann, would have accompanied him, his daughter said. ‘‘I am just so glad that Mum didn’t go.’’

Hockley had a fear of the water and had only learnt to swim in the past 20 years. ‘‘He was not a risk-taker at all,’’ she said. Hockley loved spending time at his Otematata bach in the Waitaki District of Otago and took many photos in the area. ‘‘It was his life.’’

Otematata Residents’ Association chairperson Steve Dalley paid tribute to Hockley, saying he was a ‘‘lovely, kind’’ gentlemen who had donated a lot of his time to taking photos for an annual fundraising calendar.

‘‘He was a very quiet man . . . very humble. It is so sad.’’