Otago Yacht Club caretaker manager Geoff Lyell said two women had been sailing in the harbour near the club’s premises in Magnet St about 12.30pm yesterday.
They were sailing a 420, which is a type of small sailboat, Mr Lyell said.
However, disaster struck when the boat capsized in the wind - which was not uncommon in Otago Harbour.
The pair were wearing life jackets and had been well-prepared, apart from not having a form of communication, such as a phone in a drybag, Mr Lyell said.
Their difficulties attracted plenty of concern from members of the public on shore.
Police attended and the coastguard was placed on standby.
Both woman self-rescued from the stricken boat, and one swam to shore to request help.
In hindsight it would have been better to be stay with the boat and wait for assistance, but the women had not been sure anyone noticed them capsizing, Mr Lyell said.
The women were not members of the club and had been sailing independently.
Nevertheless, the club launched a patrol vessel to check on them, crewed by a member of the sailing school and his son.
"It was all a happy ending at the end of the day - there was no damage done to people or craft," Mr Lyell said.
