Three people needed to be rescued in the Bay of Islands this morning after their fishing vessel struck rocks.
A distress call was made shortly before 4am, but contact was lost.
Coastguard spokesperson, Georgie Smith, says a search north of Whale Bay found three people under a cliff in Howe Bay.
"They were able to get all three people safely on board Bay Rescue. They were shaken, mildly hypothermic, but other than that they were cohesive [sic] and the Coast Guard volunteers have taken them back to Doves Bay to meet with an awaiting ambulance."
Ninety percent of the 12-metre vessel is now underwater and the Harbourmaster has been notified because it has 1600 litres of diesel on board.
RadioLIVE
