Rescue mission underway for stricken yacht

A rescue mission is underway following a mayday call this morning from a stricken yacht several hundred kilometres northeast of the Chatham Islands.

Geoff Lunt, from the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said two people were on board the Janette Gay, including a man with an injured back.

The yacht was battling heavy seas and strong winds. Its satellite distress beacon had been activated, but problems with its radio meant it was unable to receive messages from the rescue centre.

Mr Lunt said an Air Force Orion aircraft was preparing to leave Auckland to locate the yacht, which is about 780km from the Chathams.

A vessel currently in the area had also been diverted toward the yacht, and was expected to reach it at about 7.30 tonight.

"Once the Orion has located the vessel, we are hopeful that we can use the Orion as a communication platform to relay information while keeping the yacht under surveillance until they can be picked up by the rescue vessel," Mr Lunt said.

He said the New Zealand-based yacht was understood to be heading to the Cook Islands.

- NZPA