Ghost yacht subject of dramatic rescue

An abandoned yacht is still transmitting its position at sea in the Bay of Plenty after a dramatic helicopter rescue in which its two crew were winched to safety.

The crew abandoned the 44ft ketch Morning Star and took to a life raft at first light on Sunday morning to help Auckland's Westpac Rescue Helicopter winch them from rough seas about 74 nautical miles (137 kilometres) northeast of Tauranga.

The Maritime Safety Authority understands they were uninjured but they were taken to Tauranga for medical assessment.

Spokesman Steve Rendle said Maritime Radio recorded a call from the ketch at 2.30am on Friday, after the yacht's engine broke down during a trip from Opua to the Marlborough Sounds.

The skipper was seeking a tow to Whakatane from about 20 nautical miles east of White Island, but there were no vessels available in the area to assist them.

The crew tried to reach the coast throughout Friday and Saturday despite being hampered by broken sails, Mr Rendle said.

At 4.10am on Sunday, they issued a mayday call after their vessel started taking in water, and their pumps were unable to cope.

A cargo ship MV Asian Adonis heading from Auckland to Wellington and Lyttelton offered to assist and turned towards the yacht's position as the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington directed the rescue helicopter to the scene.

Mr Rendle said this morning that the yacht's emergency locator beacon was still transmitting, indicating a position about 47 nautical miles (87km) north of White Island.

NZH