Six rescued from sinking boat

Six people were rescued yesterday after their boat sank in the Waitemata Harbour.

Coastguard duty officer Steven Perreau said a distress call was received just after 3pm.

Three children and three adults were on board. A vessel in the vicinity of the sinking boat responded to the distress call and was able to rescue the children but the boat sank with the adults on board.

They were pulled from the water by staff from the police launch and the coastguard rescue boat.

Mr Perreau said the 5m runabout sank just off the Chelsea sugar works area at Birkenhead.

He did not know what caused it to sink, but said it happened very quickly. All on board were wearing lifejackets. Mr Perreau said the incident showed the value of wearing lifejackets and having a marine radio.

"It is my strong opinion that had they asked for assistance on a cellphone the outcome might have been nowhere as good."

The group were taken to Birkenhead Wharf and were met by an ambulance, but it was not known whether any were injured.

- NZPA