Five people were rescued overnight after their vessel got into trouble near Motunau Island, north of Christchurch.
Coastguard North Canterbury said they were alerted by police just after 8.30pm on Saturday to a boat in distress off the coast of Pegasus Bay.
Photo: Coastguard North Canterbury
One person had reportedly been washed overboard but was able to get back on board the vessel.
A spokesperson said the volunteers rushed to their station to prepare for the 20 nautical mile journey north.
“With the person in the water managing to get back on board, we still knew they would be very cold and would need assistance rather soon.”
Photo: Coastguard North Canterbury
Conditions were favourable, allowing the crew to reach the stricken vessel quickly.
“Once on scene we transferred the five passengers from their boat onto our boat for assessment. Once everyone was safely in our boat we made our way back to Kaiapoi.”
Photo: Coastguard North Canterbury
Coastguard North Canterbury thanked StJohn for sending ambulance crews to assess the group upon arrival.
