Coastguard rescues two people, dog from sinking houseboat off Kawau, north Auckland

A houseboat near Kauwau, north Auckland, flooded during stormy weather. Photo / Kawau Coastguard

Two people have been rescued from a semi-stranded houseboat after it began to flood near Kawau Island, north Auckland.

The Kawau Volunteer Coastguard shared the incident on its Facebook page, saying crews helped two people who were trapped on a houseboat last night when the pontoons on one side took on water and the vessel began to sink.

Skipper Thelma Wilson said the Coastguard teams held station behind the vessel, combating wind squalls of around 30 knots and avoiding debris and sharp fittings.

“Our helmsman and the crew did a sterling job, enabling the crew to get both occupants and a wee dog safely across on to Kawau Rescue,” she said.

Wilson said the vessel was already settling on the seabed at high tide and wasn’t going to sink further.

“The owner will return in daylight and low tide to pump it out and try to sort out the leak. He has a huge job ahead of him!”

On Facebook, multiple people praised the actions of the Kawau rescue crews during the incident.

One man said, “You guys do such an amazing job. Respect and thank you,” while another said: “You guys have been very busy this week. Hope you get some rest at some point!”