KEY POINTS:
Two people were rescued from a stricken catamaran this morning after its mast broke off the southwest coast of Wellington.
A Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman said a mayday call was sent from the yacht at about 7.20am and three vessels, including two Cook Strait ferries, responded.
The pair on board the yacht were rescued, cold but unhurt, by crew on Bluebridge ferry the Santa Regina, which was sailing from Picton to Wellington.
Bluebridge spokeswoman Wendy Pannett said the ship was the first on the scene and crew safely managed to get the yacht's occupants on board.
"They were extremely happy to see the Santa...they were cold but otherwise uninjured and are now in Wellington."
The damaged yacht was being towed up the North Island's west coast towards Mana.
- NZPA
