Divers are searching the water for the 32-year-old man who fell overboard the Volendam, the Holland-American line cruise ship, this afternoon.
The other crew member managed to use a bucket to stay afloat and was rescued, Garden City Helicopters general manager Simon Duncan told NZPA.
Both men were wearing heavy clothing, overalls and boots but no lifejackets, he said.
"It appears that one of the cables has let go at one end...it (the lifeboat) is dangling there by one cable at the moment," he said.
St John spokesman Ian Henderson told NZPA a man had been recovered and suffered no major injuries.
A police dive team was called in to search for the second crew member, he said.
The accident happened some time before 2pm.
Police were unavailable for comment.
