Fishermen return safe after ordeal

Two South Wairarapa recreational fishermen swept out to sea at Ocean Beach were lucky they weren't dragged out further and put in more danger, a rescue helicopter crew member sent to their aid says.

Police communications received three calls from members of the public late yesterday afternoon regarding a small dinghy with two Featherston men aged 72 and 46 on board who were experiencing problems with their outboard motor cutting out and the small boat being blown 2km out to sea.

Police said the pair didn't have a marine radio with them but did have oars.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter service and the police launch Lady Elizabeth were sent to respond. However, just as the rescue helicopter arrived the men, wearing lifejackets, managed to get the outboard motor going and made their own way back to the shore.

Helicopter service crew member Logan Taylor said the ocean was pretty rough when they arrived.

"It was very windy. We were getting thrown around a lot in the helicopter. The wind was quite strong."

The pair could easily have been dragged further out to sea, placing them in extreme danger, he said.

"Their oars wouldn't have been very much help. The wind was coming off the ranges hitting the water. They are lucky they got their motor going."

As for not having a marine radio, everyone heading out on the water needed to have some way of making contact if they got into trouble or were going to be late returning, he said.