Five people were rescued after a fishing vessel ran aground at French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds last night.
Maritime NZ said its rescue coordination centre was notified of a fishing vessel running around at around 11.30pm on Tuesday.
“Through communicating with the vessel, search and rescue officers were able to confirm there were five people on board. Everyone was safe and no one was injured,” Maritime NZ said in a statement to 1News.
Coastguard Nelson was asked to head to the vessel to pick up members of the crew, with the boat refloated just after 3am on Wednesday.
“The vessel, accompanied by Coastguard Nelson’s Sealord Rescue then made its way to Croisilles Harbour where the extent of damage to the vessel will be assessed,” the Maritime NZ spokesperson said.
Coastguard has been contacted for comment.
French Pass is a notoriously difficult stretch of water to navigate that separates D’Urville Island from the South Island.
