A man and woman in their 60s were taken to hospital in a serious condition after the dinghy they were in capsized in Lyttelton Harbour.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 9.30am on Thursday after reports a boat had capsized near Ripapa Island.
Canterbury Coastguard staff found the pair on the rocks.
They had cuts and scrapes from scrambling up the rocks to get to safety.
“Due to the location, we had to find a way around the rocks and through kelp to reach them," Coastguard Canterbury skipper Rachel McKenzie said.
"With help from the local harbourmaster, we managed to get them onboard."
The Coastguard crew monitored the pair for shock until they reached Naval Point wharf.
Hato Hone St John ambulance officers were waiting at the wharf to take them to hospital.
St John said two patients were both in a serious condition. They were taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance.
McKenzie said the couple launched from Purau Bay shortly before 9am to go fishing before their boat capsized in windy conditions. They were well-prepared and did everything right.
“They were wearing lifejackets, had a mobile as a form of communication and seemed well prepared.
"They called police straight away and stayed where they were, which helped locate them.”
