Two men have been pulled out of the water by the Maketu volunteer coastguard after their boat rolled near the Maketu bar this morning.

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard president Shane Beech says the men spent some time in the water after their boat rolled while crossing the Maketu bar before 11am.

The 5.8m (17ft) Fi-Glass Lightning which flipped on the Maketu bar this morning.

Shane, speaking from the Maketu Coastguard Eastpack Rescue boat, says after being in the water for a period the men 'were pretty cut up”.

They were brought ashore shortly after 11am and are being treated by St John Ambulance paramedics.

'It looks like they have been rolled by a wave coming in over the bar. Two elderly gentlemen. They have been in the water some time.”

He says conditions on the bar are deceiving, looking calmer than it is.

'There is a bit of a swell on the bar. It's a little bit deceiving from onshore.”

The boat appears to be an outboard powered 5.8m (17ft) Fi-Glass Lightning, says Shane. It is under tow by Eastpac Rescue and will be brought ashore at the Maketu ramp.