Yachties send distress signal over broken mast

A search plane was sent to an area off the coast of the South Island today after two yachties set off their emergency beacon and then changed their minds.

Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman Julia Land said the Phillips Rescue Trust plane was sent from Hamilton in response to a distress signal about 160km offshore from Farewell Spit.

Two Australians aboard a 15.24m yacht had activated the signal at 10.40am , but then switched it off and couldn't be reached on the yacht's radio.

The plane was despatched and an Airforce Orion was put on standby to be sent out.

Both aircraft were stood down when the crew members made contact with MNZ at 12.45pm, to say their mast had broken but they didn't need help.

- NZPA