Three boaties were rescued after their vessel sank near the entrance to Wellington Harbour this afternoon.
Wellington Maritime Police senior launch master Barry Hart said the group had been in a small motorised runabout which went under about 400 metres from Pencarrow Head.
Several police and Coastguard vessels were dispatched but the trio had managed to swim to shore, and were found sitting on rocks about 1pm.
They were cold and had a few bumps and bruises but were otherwise uninjured. They were given blankets and taken back to their vehicle.
It was one of a flurry of calls received by the region's maritime police today.