Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Rescued fishermen praised for being prepared

Updated at 11:31 pm on 18 December 2011

Three fishermen rescued on Sunday morning after being forced to abandon their sinking boat off the Taranaki coast are being praised for doing everything right.

A mayday call from the 17-metre fishing boat South Seas was issued just after 4am and the Taranaki Rescue helicopter was sent to the scene eight nautical miles south-west of Patea.

Just before 7am, all three crew were winched to safety by the helicopter.

Rescue Coordination Centre spokesperson Sophie Hazelhurst says the rescue was a textbook case thanks to the fishermen being well prepared.

She says they had a radio and emergency beacon on board, as well as a life raft which they were able to successfully get into.

The men were being taken to Taranaki Base Hospital for medical checks.

Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand