Navy sailors help couple steer to a safe harbour

Tauranga yachtie Peter Watson and his partner Alison Heerdegen spent last night ashore in Mangonui after two Navy sailors helped the exhausted pair sail their yacht to the safety of the small Far North port yesterday morning.

Two sailors from the Navy survey ship Resolution earlier boarded the 40ft steel sloop Paladin Steel in heavy weather off Cape Reinga after the yacht sent out a search and rescue alert on Tuesday.

Mr Watson said the yacht developed battery and electrical problems, which affected its self-steering, as it neared the top of the North Island in mountainous seas and winds gusting to 75 knots during a voyage from Mooloolaba, north of Brisbane, to Auckland.

"I was knackered after 18 hours on the helm in those conditions," the retired farmer said.

With a fresh Navy crew, the Tauranga-based Paladin Steel motored undamaged into Mangonui Harbour at 8 am yesterday.

The pair intend to resume their journey southwards when the yacht's electrical faults are repaired and the heavy weather subsides.