The sailor’s dinghy had been swamped and capsized.
Constable Brent Mitchell, of Dunedin, said the sole occupant of the small sailing dinghy was about 400m from the Vauxhall Yacht Club in Otago Harbour, when it capsized about 12.30pm yesterday.
"The operator of the dinghy-yacht was doing a tack, got swamped with some waves and started taking on water.
"He tried to bail the water out, was unsuccessful and was unable to right it."
Const Mitchell, who is also the search and rescue co-ordinator, said the man spent about 20 minutes attempting to swim to shore in the chilly harbour water, before being rescued by two crew members of a berthed fishing vessel, Sealord factory trawler Rehua, who raced to his aid in an inflatable boat.
The yachtie was well equipped, wearing waterproof clothing and a life jacket, as well as carrying a personal locator beacon, he said.
Const Mitchell also thanked an unidentified member of the public, who was driving a vehicle towing a trailer with two jet skis, and assisted police from the scene before officers arrived.
One of the two rescuers, bosun Steven Cavill, of Nelson, said they went to the man’s aid after crew members on the bridge of the large trawler noticed he was in trouble.
The trawler was berthed at the X/Y sheds across the harbour.
The ship’s systems said the water was 10degC, but Mr Cavill said it was probably a bit colder out in the middle of the harbour, and the man would not have been in a good state had they arrived any later.
"He had no strength left to haul himself into our boat".
The second rescuer was second mate Jason Hansen, of Wellington.
Sealord vessel co-ordinator Theo Reeve said crew did not hesitate to rush to the man’s aid.
"It’s the law of the sea really."
