Three swimmers in distress were rescued from the surf at the southern end of South Shore on Saturday afternoon.
Coastguard Sumner was called out at 2:22 pm and quickly launched HamiltonJet Rescue with two crew members.
Local Surf Life Saving IRBs and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were also tasked to assist.
The swimmers were located in the surf zone and picked up by HamiltonJet Rescue about 11 minutes after launch.
Two of them were suffering from hypothermia, and all three were transported to the Yacht Club jetty at Moncks Bay, where an ambulance was waiting.
Coastguard Sumner said the rescue was a great example of local volunteers working together to save lives.
“Thanks to Sumner Surf Life Saving Club and Taylors Mistake SLSC for their assistance,” they said.
Coastguard Sumner is one of 63 Coastguard New Zealand units dedicated to keeping people safe on the water.
