"3 Fishermen Rescued - Northland - Northland"

Three fishermen are luck to be alive today after being rescued by Coastguard and rescue helicopter from a small rock 4km off the coast of the Karikari Peninsula in Northland. At 2am this morning Police were notified that the three fishermen had failed to return from a fishing trip.
They had been expected to return by 9pm. The men, left the Kaimaumau boat ramp in the Rangaunu harbour in a 5 metre aluminium boat on Friday afternoon.

An intensive search began at daybreak, involving Police, Coastguard and a fixed wing aircraft. At about 7:30 am the boat was located overturned North of the Karikari Peninsula.

The fishermen were not equipped with lifejackets and there were grave concerns for their safety. The air search continued and the men were eventually located standing on a small rock South of Motoroa Island, 4km off the coast of the Karikari Peninsula.

One man was retrieved from the rock by a Coastguard vessel, but sea conditions made impossible to recover the other two men and they were eventually winched to safety by the Northland Rescue Helicopter. All three men were given medical treatment. This incident highlights the need for people using boats to take proper precautions for thier trip.

In particular, Police remind boaties to always: Wear lifejackets Check weather and sea conditions and don't overestimate their abilities. Have more than one form of communication. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Stay Safe

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