Lucky escape for Walpole local after boat capsized off Circus Beach

A fisherman had a lucky escape after his boat capsized, throwing him into the water off Circus Beach in Walpole last Thursday night.

About 9.20pm, the man managed to swim a short distance to shore and activate flares. He walked across a bush track to Sealers Cove where he set off more flares before being picked up by Walpole Volunteer Marine Rescue.

The volunteers had been alerted by his concerned family at 8.45pm when he failed to return.

The man had been fishing from a 12ft Plaka boat. His phone ended up in the water. Walpole VMR’s Louise Pickett said it could have been a lot worse.

“He had got too close to shore, a wave came up behind him and flipped the boat,” Ms Pickett said.

“He hadn’t logged on with us. That’s the only thing he didn’t do and we just encourage everyone to do that.

“The man was fine no injuries and being a local he knew that track back to the inlet but it could have could have escalated, especially at that time of night.”