An Auckland man had a "grandstand view" of an unusual rescue mission which unfolded over the past few days.
Alan Green, of Piha, was attending a weekend workshop at the Blockhouse Bay boat club when he noticed a silver Rav4 submerged in the Manukau Harbour on Friday.
On Saturday he witnessed two more 4WDS - which it seemed had come to rescue the first stranded vehicle - get stuck in the mud.
"The tide came in and enveloped all three of them."
And although a group of about 10 people managed to pull one 4WD free, Green said the Ford Explorer was "completely stuffed - there was water pouring out".
![Photo / Doug Sherring](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/BK25JIB5JE47ZQIGU4EHGI6VS4.jpg?auth=ae9c5cc30f301a1cc7f16d227dd93da01c4ee2fd8e0003da70804f861ef2b449&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)