A 28ft vessel called the "Predator" was towed back to Nuku'alofa by the TDS Voea Pangai on April 26, after suffering engine problems and drifting near Kelefesia Island on April 25.

Acting Police Commissioner Taniela Faletau said the boat emergency beacon was picked up by a New Zealand Rescue Center on the early morning April 26, 2011.

He said New Zealand dispatched a Hercules c-130 search aircraft to Tonga and located the distressed vessel.

The Voea Pangai responded and sailed to the area and towed back the Predator to Nuku'alofa on the afternoon of the same day.

It is understood the three foreign nationals on the vessel bound for Vava'u and are all well.

Tonga Police and the Tonga Defence Services both responded to the rescue incident.