Two leap for their lives from burning boat

Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Jim Eagles

Two people have been rescued after they leapt into the water from a burning launch off Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty.

The 8m launch was about four nautical miles west of the island when it caught fire just before midday today.

National Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokeswoman Sophie Hazelhurst, said the two people on board leapt into the water to escape the flames shortly before midday.

A mayday call was issued on the VHF channel 16 network and any boats in the area were asked to go to their aid.

"We were able to contact a vessel which was nearby and which was able to come and pick up two people who had jumped overboard and were in the water."

It was not yet known what caused the fire.

She said more than 40 minutes after the first call the vessel was still on fire and would probably burn to the waterline and sink.

The vessel was believed to have diesel in its fuel tanks and the marine pollution response unit had been advised.

She said diesel broke up very quickly and was not expected to cause a pollution problem.

The two people were believed to have been taken ashore at Tauranga but were not badly hurt.

- NZPA