The Hokianga car ferry took on a new role as a rescue boat when two swimmers got into trouble off Rawene.
The drama occurred about 2.30pm on Tuesday just as the ferry was leaving Rawene for Kohukohu.
A young man and woman had been jumping from the Rawene jetty to cool off but ferry passenger Frank Herbert of Pawarenga, on his way home after a meeting at Rawene Hospital, noticed they were in trouble in a strong tidal current and raised the alarm.
Ferry captain Alan Barratt carefully manoeuvred the vessel alongside the pair so Dirk Annemans and another deckhand could deploy a boarding ladder and life buoy.
The teens were hauled on deck and the ferry delivered the pair to dry land. Mr Annemans said the young man seemed exhausted after the ordeal.