Dame Cindy with Matt Atkins
MATTHEW ATKINS
TIMOTHY DAWSON
TRACEY OSBORNE
On 12 September 2019, Matt Atkins was skippering “Henerata” from Fresh Water Landing to Golden Bay Wharf in Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, with six passengers onboard. The conditions were extremely dangerous, with a 30-35 knot breeze, waves around 2 metres apart and 1 metre in height, and water temperature of approximately 9 degrees.
The vessel was hit from behind by a wave, forcing it to nose into the water, and causing the boat to heel over 90 degrees. Atkins performed a MAYDAY call as the vessel rolled, eventually sitting upturned in the water, with the passengers trapped in the fuel-filled cabin.
Atkins was able to swim out the starboard cabin window and re-enter through the forward hatch. He then pushed five of the passengers out of the vessel through the hatch.
One of the passengers, Tracey Osborne, upon exiting the vessel, saw a woman unable to swim drifting away from the vessel. Osborne, who had lifesaving experience, immediately swam out to rescue the woman who was struggling to stay afloat.
Atkins was able to re-enter the vessel to retrieve a life-jacket and flares, but unable to locate the emergency beacon. He advised the passengers to move around to the left side of the boat for shelter. One male passenger, in a catatonic state, had his arms wrapped around the upturned engine and did not respond to any instructions.
Timothy Dawson arrived on a rescue vessel and was able to throw ropes to Atkins to pass onto the passengers. Atkins attempted to break the grip of the catatonic man, but was unable to, having been in the water for 45 minutes and losing energy. Dawson, wearing a wetsuit, jumped into the freezing, churning water with a rope attached and swam to the man. Using both feet propped up against the hull, he successfully dragged the man to safety.
All passengers were treated for varying degrees of hypothermia.
Atkins’s actions ensured that all six passengers survived the ordeal. Osborne in a dangerous situation put her life at risk by leaving the boat to go and save a companion. Dawson’s quick actions in attending the Mayday call and entering the water helped to save the life of a man who would have otherwise been unable to save himself.