Divers, boaties rescued by coastguard, helicopters

Four people were rescued in two separate incidents on North Island beaches today.

At Ruakaka in Northland, a woman phoned police when two divers who had been on her vessel failed to return to the boat on time.

A police Eagle helicopter and the Northland rescue helicopter responded, along with a coastguard vessel and other boats.

Police said the missing divers were found without incident.

Further south, emergency services were called when locals spotted a boat sinking about 1km off the coast of Whitianga beach.

Two helicopters, a coastguard vessel and volunteer surf lifesavers attended the incident.

The pair were rescued without the use of the helicopters, police said.

- NZPA