A 67-year-old Hamilton man remains in a serious condition in Tauranga Hospital today after his near drowning in Pilot Bay yesterday.

The man was pulled from the Tauranga Harbour about 1.20pm after he was spotted floating face down in the water out from Commons Avenue.

Noel (left) and Mark Williamson talk to police at Pilot Bay.

He was pulled out of the water by father and son - Noel and Mark Williamson - who were rowing out to do some work on a launch in the bay.

The man was seen about 50metres from the beach, lying face down.

'He had a mask and snorkel on when I rolled him over,” says Noel today.

'He was just out swimming, having a snorkel. We got over, I rolled him over onto his back had my arm round his head and shoulder, the other arm on his chest just trying to pump some water out. We got him on the beach, and put him in the recovery position.

'I was still pumping his chest, did that for a while, but by that time there a registered nurse turned up and they started doing it.”

A St John Ambulance arrived, followed by police soon after.

'We covered him up with towels, put blankets and that around him so the kids wouldn't see what was going on,” says Noel.

'It changed the course of the stay a little bit.”

St John paramedics worked on the man before taking him to Tauranga Hospital.

A Tauranga Hospital spokesperson says the Hamilton man remains in a serious condition today.