Mother Nature delivered a timely reminder about the importance of never overloading your boat on Monday when a vessel flipped while collecting crayfish pots off the Whakatane coast.

The two occupants were spotted bobbing in the water next to an overturned boat by the last vessel to return via the Whakatane bar for the day.

By the time they were found they had spent some time in the water.

Both were disorientated when pulled aboard and treated by an ambulance on site.

Senior Maritime Officer Isaac Tait says had they not both been wearing lifejackets it's likely this would have been a different story.

'This was a close call but the moral of the story is to never overload your boat with people or equipment and to always carry two forms of communication that work when wet,” he says.

'In this instance they hadn't told anyone where they were going and when they expected to be back and once their cell phone got wet they had no way to call for help.”

Isaac is thankful to all those who helped retrieve the vessel.

For information on how to be safe on the water visit www.boprc.govt.nz/harbourmaster

Boaties looking to sharpen up their own seafaring skills can also head along to the Maketu Coastguard Bar Crossing Day this Sunday.

The vessel which capsized. Supplied photo.