Four fishermen have been rescued after their vessel sank off the coast of Kaikōura.
The four men were returned safely to shore near the mouth of the Clarence River. Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
The Rescue Coordination Centre said the Victory II was about 5 kilometres offshore at the time.
The men, who were floating in a liferaft, were picked up by a nearby crayfishing vessel.
Senior search and rescue officer John Ashby said the fishermen had the presence of mind to both call a Mayday, which alerts any nearby vessels and trigger their distress beacon.
He said he didn't know why the boat sank but the men were very lucky.
Mr Ashby said there was a two-metre swell at the time.
