Hawkes Bay sea resuce

A search and rescue operation invoving air and sea cover has located and uplifted two males adrift in an 8 foot dinghy approximately 16 miles off shore from Hawkes Bay.

A passing freighter noticed the boat and it's occupants and notified coastguard who were able to uplift them shortly after. Both are suffering mild hypothermia but are otherwise in good health.

The boat was not equipped with any emergency equipment and was ill prepared to be at sea as it had no motor and inadequate paddles.

Search and Resuce coordinators advise that the two occupants are exceptionally lucky to have been found having drifted so far off shore.