Two jetskiers wearing only shorts and t-shirts spent 10 hours stuck on mudflats in the Manukau Harbour yesterday with no light to signal rescuers as it got dark.
The men set off from the public boat ramp at Weymouth Boating Club about 3pm for what was supposed to be an
hour or two tandem cruise on notoriously treacherous harbour.
Maritime police Senior Constable Steve Westlake said they had left their cellphones in their car and had no lights, flares, navigation or other communication equipment on board.
The men, both in their mid-30s, were wearing lifejackets and had told people that they would be back by 5pm, who notified emergency services when they didn't return.
The police hovercraft, which is able to traverse the Manukau's many mudflats, was launched from Auckland Airport, as was a police Eagle helicopter.
