Fishermen flipped from kayak saved

Two men are relieved to be alive after flipping out of their kayak while fishing in the Tauranga channel.

Daniel Penwarden and Edwin O'Dea were forced to make the 45 minute swim to Matakana Island when they found themselves in the water about midnight on Tuesday.

After a successful evening of fishing Mr Penwarden was trying to tie the kayak to a bouy when it capsized.

They clambered ashore wearing nothing but lifejackets and started searching for help.

A man on a catamaran anchored in the harbour heard their cries and rowed to shore to retrieve the shivering pair.

They then returned to the boat where they bunked down for the night before making their way back home yesterday.