Police have praised the crew of a pleasure boat after a distress call was issued yesterday morning.
The call from the Kotare, whose crew had been fishing and diving near Ruapuke Island, was received by Bluff Fishermen's Radio at 10.15am.
Search and Rescue Co-ordinator Sergeant Ian Martin said the skipper and a crew member were diving, and the two remaining crew were unable to start the vessel's motor.
The Bluff Coastguard vessel NZAS Rescue was in Foveaux Strait training and was sent to Ruapuke Island, and the Stewart Island Experience ferry Foveaux Express was also dispatched.
The crew on the Kotare anchored their boat on the east side of nearby Topi Island.
NZAS Rescue took one of the crew from the Kotare, and located the divers on Ruapuke Island.
The vessel was towed back to Bluff by another Stewart Island Experience ferry. Sgt Martin praised the Kotare crew for alerting authorities and eventually anchoring their boat.
''This incident highlights the importance of crew have a good knowledge of the boat and its equipment,'' he said.
