Boat starts sinking off Auckland coast with eight on board

A skipper called for help when his 11.5m launch started taking on water off Rangitoto Island yesterday evening. Photo / File

Eight people including two children had to be rescued by the Coastguard after their launch started sinking yesterday evening.

The skipper called the Northern Coastguard operations centre about 5.40pm saying his vessel was taking on water and sinking in the Hauraki Gulf off Rangitoto Island.

Coastguard volunteers from Waiheke and North Shore raced to help those on board the stricken 11.5m vessel.

Using the rescue craft's onboard pumps the water was pumped out and the cause of the leak - a split water intake hose - was repaired.

The vessel was towed to the Outboard Boating Club at Orakei and the second Coastguard crew took those who were forced to abandon the vessel.

Coastguard posted on Facebook that the owner maintained the vessel well and the engine had only recently been serviced, including all hoses checked.
The rescuers praised everyone on board for wearing lifejackets.

Coastguard said it had 22 callouts on a busy Monday on the Hauraki Gulf as boaties made the most of a sun-soaked day.