Rescued fishermen lucky to survive

The actions of a trio of fishermen plucked to safety off the Northland coast have been slammed by a water safety boss.

Police said the men were lucky to be alive after being rescued about 7.30am yesterday from a small rock off the Karikari Peninsula.

The trio - none wearing lifejackets - left Rangaunu Harbour in a 5m aluminium boat on Friday afternoon but failed to return. An intensive search began at daybreak and the men were found standing on the rock 4km off the coast.

"It sounds like these fishermen failed to follow all the basic rules," said Lindsay Sturt, deputy director of Maritime NZ. "It is not rocket science.

"It is quite simple to make sure you are wearing a lifejacket, let people know where you are going and when you will be back and take a communication device - even if it is just wrapping a cellphone in a plastic bag.

"There are plenty of water safety messages out there but sadly, some people, usually men, are ignoring them. They have an attitude of 'she'll be right' when often that is not the case at all. They overestimate their abilities while underestimating the risks."

Coastguard spokeswoman Georgie Smith said the rescue was a "credit to the volunteers and search and rescue agencies involved".

"It also highlights the importance of lifejackets. They've never ruined a day on the water."