A teenage girl swam for help after a group of rowing club members got into trouble on Wellington Harbour last night.
A rescue was launched after two teenage girls from the Petone Rowing Club fell out of the rowing skiff they were training in about 5.55pm.
The girls were picked up by a support boat but their plight continued after the boat's engine failed.
The boat then started to get blown out to sea, Senior Constable Stu Main of the police maritime unit said.
One of the girls decided to swim ashore for help but rescuers were alerted by a person on shore who was watching.
The swimmer had made it ashore by the time the police launch Lady Elizabeth IV and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived about 6.15pm.
Police took the three girls from the support boat on board the launch and gave them blankets.
Mr Main said the launch then towed the boat and the rowing skiff back to the club.
One of the girls was treated for mild hypothermia.
Mr Main said police were concerned there were not enough life jackets for the four people involved.
