Three taken to hospital after boat incident on Dunedin harbour

The incident occurred on Otago Harbour near Vauxhall this morning. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Six people needed treatment and three were taken to hospital after a boat struck trouble on Otago Harbour amid windy conditions this morning.

Police were notified at 10.10am that "a dragon boat or waka" appeared to be in trouble approximately 150 metres from shore.

A police spokeswoman said all six people involved in the incident were safely back on shore.

"Three of them [were] transported to the hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia."

A St John spokesperson said three ambulances responded after notification of the incident at 10.14am.

Emergency services vehicles were at the scene this morning. Photo / Otago Daily Times

All six people had moderate injuries, the spokesperson said.

"Three were transported to Dunedin hospital; the remaining three were treated at the scene."

An eyewitness said emergency services vehicles were still at the scene on Portobello Rd at Vauxhall at about 10.45am, although the rescue effort appeared to be over by then.

"They weren't rushing at that point.

"It looked like they had a rope out [and] just pulled in a boat."

It was initially reported that the boat had overturned.