A fishing boat in distress off the east coast of the Marlborough region has been located and is currently being towed back to shore.
The Kaiarahi ferry was currently responding to a distress signal from a fishing boat in Cloudy Bay. Photo: Supplied / InterIslander
The two people on board are uninjured after the ordeal in which the vessel lost power in big swells.
The Interislander's Kaiarahi ferry was one of the boats that responded to the 50-foot boat's distress call on Wednesday evening but is now continuing on its journey from Picton to Wellington.
A police spokesperson said they were alerted just after 8pm and a water rescue operation was underway alongside Maritime NZ.
A number of nearby boats have been asked to assist.
Interislander executive general manager Walter Rushbrook confirmed the Kaiarahi ferry was currently responding to a distress signal from a fishing boat in Cloudy Bay.
"We expect this will cause some delays and regret the inconvenience to our passengers. However, responding to the safety of other vessels is our priority," Rushbrook said.
"We are keeping our passengers onboard updated with the situation and providing food and hot drinks while we respond.
"The will be some minor delays to subsequent sailings of the Kaiarahi, but expect to make up time and be back on schedule by around midday tomorrow.
"We regret the inconvenience to passengers but responding to the safety needs of other vessels is our priority."
The fishing boat was being towed to Port Underwood.