Bay of Islands, New Zealand—Two sailors were pulled from the water Friday morning after their vessel sank near the Bay of Islands. The Coastguard responded to a distress signal sent shortly after the boat began taking on water.

The crew was spotted clinging to debris when the rescue team arrived on the scene. Strong currents and choppy conditions had pushed the sailors away from the site where the boat went down.

Both individuals were brought aboard the rescue vessel and treated for mild exposure. The sailors had been on a routine trip when a mechanical failure compromised the hull of their craft.

Maritime New Zealand has been notified of the sinking. They are currently reviewing the incident logs to understand why the vessel failed so quickly in moderate sea conditions.

The Bay of Islands is a popular region for recreational boating, but it can be unpredictable for smaller vessels. The Coastguard emphasized that the quick deployment of a distress beacon was vital to the sailors' survival.

The sunken vessel has been located by sonar and will be marked to prevent hazards for other ships in the area. Salvage operations will be organized by the owners later this week.

Coastguard officials are using this incident to remind boaters to check all emergency gear before leaving the harbor. The two sailors were released from medical care after undergoing a brief examination.

No further search operations are required as the crew has been accounted for and the area is clear. The case remains open until the formal report on the vessel's sinking is finalized.