Passengers and crew had to abandon a sinking boat on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, north of Motutapu Island, today.

They made an emergency call at 9.49am informing the Coastguard their boat was taking on water and sinking.

The four people then jumped into a dinghy and were met by the first of three rescue boats sent to the job within 10 minutes of making their call.

The vessel has been salvaged by the Harbourmaster and insurance representatives have been called in.

It's not known whether the passengers were wearing life jackets or what caused the boat to sink.