A 72ft motor launch that began life as a US anti-submarine boat has been abandoned off 90 Mile Beach after its three-person crew ran into trouble in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The response to the ailing Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) Kuparu started at 4am, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said.
The RCCNZ said they were made aware the vessel was requiring assistance and the crew stated they were taking on water.
Helicopters were dispatched from Hamilton and Whangārei and everyone was taken from the launch by 8AM, Sunday 24 May.
Navigational warnings will be broadcast notifying other vessels in the area there is an unmanned launch adrift that they should be aware of, the RCCNZ said.
