Father-of-four Bimal Parma Samy dies in a boating accident in Manukau Harbour, Auckland

“His house went fishing. I went fishing with him every two weeks. We would be there during snapper season.

“He brought his friends today because his wife and his other friends were going on a family outing tomorrow.”

Bobby said the 52-year-old, who came from Fiji 20 years ago, had three daughters and a son, all in their mid to late 20s.

“He was a really nice gentleman. He did a lot of charity work,” he said.

“I’m a Muslim and he’s from a Hindu culture, and he would say, ‘Bobby, for Ramadan, take the fish, clean it up and give it to the mosque and feed them during Ramadan’.”

Police said six other people were pulled from the water and treated by paramedics.

The Coastguard Operations Center said it was alerted at 9.39am to a vessel capsized on the Manukau Bar.

Coast Guard Waiuku was immediately dispatched and a distress call was broadcast via VHF to all stations. Several nearby boats responded without hesitation and helped pull seven people from the water.

Coast Guard Waiuku volunteers met the assisting vessels at Little Huia to provide first aid and check on the welfare of those rescued.

“Tragically, one person has died,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their family and friends at this difficult time.”

Coast Guard vessels and the air patrol were suspended between 11 a.m. and 11:48 a.m.

The Coast Guard said in a statement that bars like Manukau Bar can be unpredictable and dangerous.

“We encourage all boaters to refresh their knowledge by attending one of our Bar Awareness seminars, held nationwide and online.”

In a statement, police thanked volunteers from Coastguard Waiuku, Coastguard Papakura and the Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol for their assistance.

A person at the scene described conditions as very controlled.

David Williams is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers the latest news and general topics.

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