Wellington police say three sailors caught in heavy seas and 40 knot winds did the right thing putting out a distress call from their yacht late on Friday night.
The men, aged 72, 68 and 53 had been on their way from Napier to Wellington aboard a 10 metre yacht.
They got into trouble about four nautical miles south-east of Turakirae head at the western end of Palliser Bay.
Constable Rob Grant from the Maritime Unit says the police launch Lady Elizabeth 111 found them just after midnight.
