Boat rescued after engine fails

An early morning rescue mission was carried out today, after a fishing boat's engine failed and it was left drifting, just north of Greymouth.

The Karemoana's engine failed at 11.30 last night and the two crew members attempted unsuccessfully to fix the problem for several hours , eventually radioing for help.

A faulty GPS unit onboard meant the location of the boat was unknown, and it was found only after a flare was released and seen about 50 metres off Nine Mile Bay, north of Greymouth.

The Greymouth Coastguard was dispatched and the boat was towed back to the Greymouth Port.

- NZPA