A fisherman has been rescued by the Coastguard after seven hours in the water clinging to a floating petrol container off Waihi Beach.
The man had been fishing with another man when their boat capsized.
One of the fishermen swam to shore to call for help at around sometime between 11pm and midnight, while his friend stayed in the water hanging onto a yellow petrol container.
The boat was reportedly spotted by Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter at around 6am and the man was then seen 200m away.
They were about 6km off shore.
Because the Coastguard was nearby, the man wasn't winched up by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter; he was instead taken back to shore before being flown to Thames for medical assistance.
Newshub.
