Fourteen people rescued off sinking boat in Bay of Plenty

May 16, 2025

Fourteen people have been rescued when their boat sank off Mōtītī Island, in Bay of Plenty.

Coastguard were alerted at 1.40pm to a 18.2m vessel taking on water with 14 people on board.

Volunteers from Maketū, Tauranga and Whakatāne responded, and all passengers were accounted for and transported to shore in Tauranga.

A nearby boat and Customs vessel assisted with the rescue, a Coastguard spokesperson said.

"The vessel is currently submerged. There are no serious injuries."

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