NZ Herald Headlines | Saturday, December 27, 2025.
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Three fishermen have been at the centre of an overnight water rescue after their boat began to sink in Manukau Harbour.
The group had set out from the Māngere Bridge boat ramp and were about 2km away from Puketutu Island when their boat began taking on water and startedto sink.
They managed to call police just after midnight but did not know exactly where they were.
A search and rescue operation immediately commenced, co-ordinated by Police Maritime Unit from the Marine Rescue Centre.
Police said the fishermen did everything right. Photo / NZ Police
Search units were active on the ground, the police Eagle helicopter was in the sky and Auckland Airport’s crash rescue and firefighting hovercraft was put into action on the water.
All three men were located by Eagle not long afterwards and were safely taken aboard the rescue hovercraft about 1.30am.
Sergeant Jesse Jenden from the Auckland Police Maritime Unit said the fishermen “did everything right”, which helped in their rescue.
“We’re happy these fishermen did all the right things when heading out on the water,” Jenden said.
“Anything can happen, and you really need to be prepared for that.
“They ticked all the boxes by having waterproof communication devices, were wearing lifejackets, listened to the instructions from the rescuers and kept hold of some chilly bins for extra flotation if needed.”
All three fishermen were safely taken aboard the rescue hovercraft. Photo / NZ Police
The family of the fishermen said they were in good spirits once they were back on shore.
Police say in all water-related emergencies, people should always call 111.
