Broken down runabout adrift offshore

Multiple reports of a vessel with 3 or 4 POB broken down (via victim to Police on 111) or overdue (family to CG Ops Centre and friends to CG Mana public phone). Location (estimate) varied between 6NM of coastline between Makara and Little Titahi Bay. Limited comms from victim via 1 cellphone that was down to 20% battery. Information very confused and unreliable. Started with coastline search and trying to identify potential lights. Received TXT indicating we had gone past them and they had drifted further out near Mana Island. Spotted a orange flickering light about 3NM in the distance. Proceeded towards that light and found vessel. Vessel had fitted VHF but the electrics were not working, including the nav lights (known before departing). They had lit a petrol soaked rag on fire as they had no other light source to indicate with. Towed home to Titahi Bay beach where a large group of friends and whanau met them.

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