KEY POINTS:
Dunedin police are fuming at the "stupidity" of three Milton men who had to be rescued after their boat broke down off the Taieri River mouth, near Dunedin.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said the men were reported missing after failing to return from fishing about 10.15pm yesterday and found about 7.30am today.
They were safe and well but their 5m boat had suffered mechanical problems and had to be towed back to shore.
"It would be fair to say the people on the boat probably did everything wrong that they possibly could have," Mr Aitken told NZPA.
"They had no communication resources, no flares ... they hadn't left any sort of plan of intention as to where they were going or what they were doing.
"It was just absolute stupidity from people who we believe have limited experience."
The search and rescue mission would have cost thousands, much of which was avoidable.
The men were lucky the weather had been good but their luck was likely to end when they reached shore and got a talking to.
"I think they will be quite clear on how we feel," Mr Aitken said.
- NZPA
