Tradie key in night rescue in rough seas
Thames tradie Jason Bithell does not consider himself a lifesaver.
Police, however, say that without his willingness to help, the outcome for two fishermen in rough seas off the Coromandel could have been tragic.
Bithell and his partner had just motored ashore when police arrived in search of the two fishermen after a ‘‘rogue wave’’ capsized their boat on the Firth of Thames. With the Coastguard still a while away and daylight quickly running out, officers asked Bithell for help.
Bithell said he just happened to be in the right place at the right time on the night of February 12. ‘‘I have never pulled someone out of the water,’’ Bithell told Stuff. ‘‘But I was confident in my abilities on the water, having lived in the area my whole life.
‘‘I just thought hopefully ... that someone else would do the same for me.’’
The missing men had been out fishing earlier that day when the weather deteriorated. A rogue wave hit the side of their boat and filled it with water, causing it to sink. Equipped with life jackets, they were able to call police about 7.50pm. Meanwhile, Bithell and partner Mallory Hodgson were out fishing when they noticed a change in the weather and headed back to shore. It was then they were informed people were missing. ‘‘We told police we had not seen anyone in the water but we decided to continue looking up and down the coast to see if we could spot them.
‘‘Police later met up with us and asked if I would be willing to take them out there.’’
He jumped back in his boat and drove the two police officers towards the stranded men.
‘‘Waves were splashing on to the front of the boat and it was pitch black by the time we got further out. It was extremely rough. If I knew it was going to be that rough when we went out, I maybe would have thought twice before going out but I felt comfort knowing there were helicopters and police on scene.’’
Guided by the police Eagle helicopter, they spotted the fishermen out towards the mussel farm ‘‘clinging to a chilly bin’’.
Bithell said by the time they got to the men, they would have been treading water for hours.
The pair were treated for hypothermia.