A 12-year-old boy and his father and grandfather have been rescued from their boat after it collided with rocks in Fiordland overnight.
The trio activated a distress beacon about 10.30pm after their 10m launch the Matakana ran into trouble.
Weather conditions in the area made it too difficult for helicopters to fly to the vessel, Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand spokesman Steve Rendle said.
Rescuers contacted the charter boat Pembroke, which was in the Southern Lakes at the time and sent an inflatable boat to retrieve the boy and two men.
Mr Rendle said the Matakana wasn't believed to be sinking but it was not clear if it was stuck on the rocks or drifting out to sea.
"I think [Environment Southland] were going to look at getting it under control today," Mr Rendle said.
"Everyone is safe on the Pembroke."
