Two helicopters were used yesterday to pick up an ill man in his 80s from the cruise ship Silver Shadow, in the Tasman Sea.
The helicopters were sent from Te Anau to carry out the medical evacuation, which Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand spokeswoman Sophie Hazelhurst said had gone smoothly at about 7pm last night.
The man had to be winched to the helicopter.
Ms Hazelhurst said the man had been taken to Te Anau for a medical check.
It was usual to use two helicopters for long-distance evacuations.
A Southern Lakes Helicopters spokeswoman said the man had been flown from Te Anau to Dunedin hospital.
Silver Shadow was heading from Australia to Milford Sound and was 125 nautical miles (232km) west of Milford Sound.
The ship is due to dock in Port Chalmers at 9.15am tomorrow.
