Three good Samaritans helped rescue two men whose rowboat was adrift today in strong wind off the northeast coast of the Big Island.

The men, one in his 50s and another in his 70s, called for help about 10:10 a.m. today after their 8-foot dinghy entered a wind column about a mile from Mahukona in North Kohala, firefighters said.

The wind column is caused by the island’s terrain and makes the seas choppy. Once inside, the men couldn’t row their boat back to shore.

A fire helicopter spotted the men in their dinghy and confirmed they needed help, but were not injured.

The helicopter contacted a passing boat operated by Keoni Erger, Kawai Nogues, and Edmond Rosenfeld that followed the helicopter to the dinghy and towed them to shore from about 2 miles out, firefighters said.

A second fire helicopter also assisted with the escort.

Firefighters said when the two men returned to shore, the older man complained of dizziness and was taken to North Kohala Hospital for observation.