Five people have been rescued after a boat capsized in Little Port Cooper in Lyttelton Harbour during choppy conditions yesterday.
Coastguard said it was alerted to the incident by police at about 1pm after the vessel began to take on water.
Volunteers from Coastguard Sumner and Coastguard Canterbury made their way to the scene, and found five people stranded on nearby rocks.
Two Coastguard units worked to retrieve the group, and then transported them safely to shore.
Coastguard said volunteers from Coastguard Sumner went in close to the rocks and helped occupants one by one onto the rescue vessel, before transferring them to Canterbury Rescue.
"All five people were returned safely to shore, where ambulance staff were waiting. They were cold and shaken, but relieved to be back on land, thanks to the efforts of Coastguard crews."
Coastguard Sumner president Blair Quane said the two units worked "really well together - transferring between boats and maintaining good communication".
"There were also other commercial boats that offered assistance, so it was a real team effort."
Coastguard acknowledged the group had taken several important safety precautions, which included wearing lifejackets, carrying a phone to call for help, and checking the marine forecast before heading out.
Despite their efforts, conditions on the water were reportedly choppy, and closely spaced waves caused the vessel to capsize quickly while the group had been out fishing.
Coastguard encouraged all boaties to be prepared by wearing a lifejacket, carrying two forms of waterproof communication, checking the marine weather forecast, and telling someone your plans, or logging your trip on the free Coastguard app.
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