Te Anau police say eight people were rescued by fishermen when their catamaran sank in Fiordland on Saturday.
Police say the 12-metre aluminium boat, which had twin outboard motors, sank at the top of the mouth of Thompson Sound, near Secretary Island, in more than 20 metres of water.
Constable Glenn Matheson says those rescued are very lucky considering the weather conditions.
He says it was thanks to the work of skilful fishermen who went out in stormy weather, including four metre swells and 85 knot winds, that the catamaran crew were rescued.
