Two Nelson men are safe after their fishing boat foundered at Kakaho Point in the Marlborough Sounds.
The pair believe their boat hit a rock, disabling the motor on Wednesday.
When they tried to anchor, the boat was swamped on the rocky coastline forcing them to abandon the vessel.
Once ashore they managed to grab a dry bag containing a cellphone which they used to raise the alarm.
The Summit Rescue Helicopter began a search of the coastline north of Croiselles harbour using night-vision goggles.
The pair were lifted to safety and treated for mild hypothermia.
