Abandoned crossing after southerly front rolls through early

2 people in a small 3.5m dinghy were caught out by a southerly front coming through sooner than expected whilst fishing. They made the decision to abandon the return leg from Mana Island and took shelter on the island, calling Coastguard for assistance. They left their vessel anchored just off shore and swam to the beach where they waited. We nosed up on the gravel beach and picked them up. After ensuring they were in good health and providing them blankets to warm up, we approached the vessel near rocks and hooked the anchor line, pulling it up and out to deeper water. We then towed the dinghy back to Mana Marina at which point they disembarked into their dinghy and returned themselves to the launching ramp between the bridges.

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