Rescuers can't believe the luck of two men after a daring rescue off Marlborough's east coast

The 50-foot yacht lost power in big swells - but the weather was too rough for helicopters to fly, when police were called out at 8pm yesterday.

Cook Strait ferries and two fishing boats found them four miles out to sea about two hours later.

Senior Sergeant Peter Payne says their life-jackets were swept overboard.

He says the distressed pair were grateful to be rescued, after one fishing boat towed them to safety about midnight.