Two fishermen are safe after their trawler rapidly sank off near Kawau Island.

The trawler was returning home when its skipper reported the vessel taking on water off Moturekareka Island, in Kawau Bay north of Auckland. The fishermen turned the vessel towards the nearest land to investigate but the boat sank before they could do any more.

Kawau Volunteer Coastguard crew was alerted at 8:49pm yesterday and launched within 35 minutes, thanks to a quick response from volunteers.

Upon arrival, the team found only a small portion of the trawler’s bow visible above the water, with debris scattered across the area.

The two fishermen aboard had already made it to safety on a yacht anchored nearby.