Three rescued after boat crashes into rocks

An investigation is underway after a fishing boat smashed into rocks off the east coast north of Auckland overnight.

Three people were found at the beach at Te Arai Point flashing a torch around quarter to one, by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The chopper was called in by Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Co-ordination Centre after the group set off their emergency beacon.

Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Keith Allen says the fishing boat was found upside down on the rocks.

"They've been interviewed initially by the police and indications are that they may have fallen asleep but that's still to be further investigated," he says.

The chopper found the 24-year-old skipper and his two young crew standing on the beach at Te Arai Point, flashing a torch.

Mr Allen says it was initially difficult to find the crew's position.

"Yeah it appears that the crew were uncertain how to use the 406 beacon and had turned it off and on so that satellites weren't actually recording a proper position," he says.

Mr Allen says the correct procedure is to set off the beacon off in a clear spot and leave it going until rescue arrives.

- Newstalk ZB