A fisherman in his 50's suffered mild hypothermia after falling into the water from his kayak near Waikawau on the Coromandel Peninsula on Friday morning.

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter communications advisor Kerrie Spicer says the man was attempting to pull up anchor when he toppled out and could not get back in to his kayak.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Photo: File

'A member of the public on the shore who had seen him through binoculars alerted emergency services,” explains Kerrie.

The fisherman struggled in the water for approximately one hour and was rescued by a passing boat on its way back from fishing.

Kerrie says the fisherman was well prepared – he'd been wearing a lifejacket and took a radio with him but it dropped into the water when he fell in.

'On the crew's arrival the patient was cold, exhausted and suffering from mild hypothermia.”

The fisherman was subsequently airlifted to Thames Hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a serious condition.

For handy tips to keep yourself safe while kayaking visit Maritime NZ's Kayak Safety webpage.