A seriously injured 33-year-old man has been airlifted off a vessel off the coast of Christchurch.
A safety locator beacon was activated off Banks Peninsula just before 2pm today, 22 to 24 nautical miles from Lyttelton Harbour.
![A safety locator beacon was activated off Lyttelton Harbour about 22 to 24 nautical miles straight out. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/UOIGOPKPTGVHU5QZFE3TBUBUPQ.jpg?auth=27eb7f9bf7f3cb4c65f14fe980c3e6e094bf31749bca9faf88f6bc771ba61946&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent with extra fuel on board to search for the vessel.
![Westpac Rescue crew preflight winch brief before rescue mission. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FIF4HMQQ35NL5ER3XLMH4NKYKE.jpg?auth=8a3380faf08a0c1ea65936780530e4ec2edb7d040b793ce82f988d33edd3bc4d&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)