At 10am today, Coastguard Houhora’s vessel Endeavour Rescue – crewed by four volunteers and two Mangōnui Cruising Club members – reached the stricken yacht and towed it safely into Mangōnui.
The sailor did not need medical assistance.
Coastguard Houhora skipper Greg Gemmell said the unit’s newer small-vessel capability proved crucial in the conditions.
“The conditions were too rough for a big boat, so it was good to have a smaller boat we could launch,” he said.
The Coastguard said the successful outcome reflected the sailor’s solid contingency planning.
The incident also underscored the importance of reliable communication equipment, the Coastguard said.
The sailor had a VHF radio, mobile phone, and an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) – and had prepared thoroughly for the long-distance offshore race.
Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent reporting on the courts in Gisborne and the East Coast.