Three fishermen rescued

The three men were found off the coast of Maraetai. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Three fishermen were rescued after several hours in freezing waters last night.

The men were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia after their boat sank 200m off Maraetai, East Auckland.

Residents along Oamana Esplanade heard their cries at about 7.45pm and launched a rescue bid.

Builder Bob Guy rowed his 3m dinghy out to save one of the men.

"He was obviously in shock so we brought him in," said Guy.

He laughed off suggestions that he was a hero, saying his neighbour, who raised the alarm and guided him to the victim, deserved the credit.

"All I did was row. It was good to be able to shake [the boatie's] hand at the end of it."

Coastguard duty manager Mark Fletcher said they brought another man back to shore while a third swam back.

Three men in their 30s were taken to Middlemore Hospital with mild hypothermia.