Challenging launch rescue off Hawke's Bay

Crew members have been rescued from a launch off the coast of Hawke's Bay, 19 hours after their vessel first got into trouble.

'The Geisha' was en route from Picton to Napier when it took on water and lost power south of Cape Kidnappers, shortly before 7 yesterday morning. After Coast Guard delivered a replacement water pump, attempts to get it working were unsuccessful. A commercial fishing vessel showed up to tow the launch, but swells over 4 metres and winds around 55 knots contributed to the tow rope breaking several times.

Senior Sergeant Dean Goodall says the weather deteriorated, and conditions became too dangerous to continue the rescue. He says the tow rope broke for a third time, and one of the crew was injured, so the decision was made to evacuate them both.

Mr Goodall says two the men were taken to hospital, but one has since been discharged.

- Newstalk ZB