Four people ended up in the water off Maketu this afternoon after the boat they were in capsized while navigating the waters of the estuary.

One person made it ashore, while the other three, wearing life jackets, hung on to their upturned boat until rescue came.

Coastguard was not needed for this rescue as boaties in the area rescued the three men hanging on to their capsized boat. Photo:file

Other boaties, who were in the vicinity, came to their aid quickly and by 1.50 pm all were on shore at the Maketu camping ground, says Senior Sergeant Karl Konlecher of the Bay of Plenty District Police Headquarters.

The coastguard was alerted to the plight of the men as was the rescue helicopter, but were not needed.

St John Ambulance staff checked the men out thoroughly and found all was well with the four men.