Pair, dog winched to safety as boat sinks

Otago Rescue Helicopter. Photo / ODT

Two people and a dog were winched to safety after their boat got into trouble off the South Otago coast today near Owaka.

A Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman said they received a beacon alert from a vessel about one nautical mile off the Tautuku Peninsula about 11.30am.

They said there were two people and a dog on the vessel, and they had to abandon it in a life raft.

The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter arrived about 55 minutes after the distress call was received and winched everyone to safety.

No-one was injured, but the two people were taken to Dunedin Hospital to be checked.