Two Northland men swim to shore after boat flips

Cliff Metcalfe

Two Northland men managed to swim through rough seas to safety after their anchored boat was hit by a swell and flipped.

The alarm was raised when the motor failed on the 6metre craft near Cape Maria van Diemen about 1.45pm.

The two men had life jackets onboard and had put down an anchor but that failed to hold in the two metre swells and blustery conditions. They were being swept towards the rocks and were unable to start the motor again.

Northland police Search and Rescue coordinator Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said they were off the coast between Scott Point and Twilight Beach when they used their marine radio to let officials know of their plight.

Police were contacted by the Maritime Operations centre in Wellington, who were in contact with the duo.

The marine operations centre lost communications with the boaties about 2.45pm.

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter, based in Whangarei, was sent to the Far North and began searching the area about 3.40pm.

It didn't take long before the helicopter crew spotted the boat, still at anchor, with only it's bow showing above the water.

"They had been trying to get the motor started when the boat was hit by a big swell and flipped. They managed to swim ashore and and climb a cliff at Te Waiawa Bay," Mr Metcalfe said.

The helicopter landed nearby and crew spoke with the men, who were uninjured.