In a turn of events that can only be described as extraordinary, a fishing trip in New Zealand took an unexpected twist when a massive dolphin weighing over 400 kilograms (close to 900 pounds) landed on a small fishing boat, startling its three occupants. The incident occurred near the stunning Hole in the Rock location on the northern coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
Dean Harrison, owner of the 16-foot vessel, along with his two fishing companions, was enjoying a serene day on the waters. They were surrounded by dolphins playing in their vicinity. However, as they fished, a shadow suddenly crossed their path, followed by a resounding crash that marked the abrupt arrival of a large bottlenose dolphin on their boat. Measuring 3.4 meters (approximately 11 feet), the dolphin’s unannounced visit wreaked havoc.
Harrison described the moment as if a bolt of lightning had struck. “One minute everything was perfect,” he shared, “and then there it was, a massive dolphin flailing inside our boat, breaking everything in sight.” The dolphin’s erratic thrashing shattered every fishing rod onboard and significantly damaged the vessel’s bow, forcing the fishermen to cling to the sides in disbelief. Luckily, all three men escaped without major injuries, though one sustained minor arm wounds during the fracas.
The trio quickly realized they had to care for the stranded creature. Due to its size, returning the dolphin directly to the sea wasn’t feasible. Instead, they contacted New Zealand’s conservation agency, who advised them to head to a nearby boat ramp about an hour away. Throughout the journey, the men kept the dolphin hydrated with a hose and shaded it with a damp towel adorned with New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team.
Upon reaching the shore, members of a local M?ori tribe held a prayer for the dolphin before it was safely returned to the ocean, a task accomplished with the aid of a tractor. The dolphin, estimated to be about two to three years old, was christened Tohu, a M?ori term meaning “sign.” Inspired by the incident, Dean Harrison decided to rename his boat in the dolphin’s honor.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Harrison expressed his relief at the outcome. “The dolphin got to swim away, and we got to walk away, each with a remarkable story to share,” he said. “It was a good ending to what could easily have been a very different situation.”
