An Australian kayaker with no life jacket plucked from a stormy Lake Wakatipu on Wednesday is lucky to be alive, Queenstown's harbourmaster says.
Marty Black said the actions of resident Brendan Quill - who spotted the man near where two French kayakers drowned in 2010 - had "saved the guy's butt''.
"Going out in the middle of the lake in an unsuitable craft with no life jacket and no plan B is just plain daft.
"He was another fatality. Talk about lucky - he just doesn't realise how close he was.''
Mr Quill, well known in the resort as a real estate agent, MC and former national cycling representative, told the Otago Daily Times he was returning from a family trip to Cecil Peak, when he spotted the man paddling a plastic sit-on kayak about 2km from Hidden Island about 5.40pm.
Conditions were "rough as guts'', and even Mr Quill's seaworthy 9m vessel Virago was being thrown around.
"There was a howling sou'wester and there were waves coming off the top of the waves.
"He was appearing and disappearing - the waves were that big.''
He rang Mr Black, who told him to "get him in your boat''.
"He was heading for Hidden Island - he was trying to make land over there.
"I think at that point he was happy to see us - he got straight in. He said he wasn't making headway because the wind was that strong.
"I read him a bit of a riot act. I was quite colourful at one point. I was just upset that someone could have drowned out there.''
Mr Black said he had a brief phone conversation with the man - believed to be an architect from Perth in his late 30s - soon after the incident.
But when he went to the man's accommodation yesterday to issue a $300 fine for not wearing a life jacket and to talk about water safety, the man had "scarpered'', and calls were going to an answerphone.
Lake Wakatipu should not be taken for granted, he said.
"It may be calm and mild when you set out, but conditions can change in a few minutes like they did [on Wednesday night].
"You just can't rely on having some Good Samaritan there to help you.''
Coastguard NZ says
● Life jackets: Take them, wear them. Boats - especially those under 6m in length - can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.
● Skipper responsibility: The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.
● Communications: Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating so we can help you if you get into difficulties.
● Marine weather: New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.
● Avoid alcohol: Safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.
