Yachtsman rescued northeast of NZ

An American yachtsman has been picked up from his stricken yacht, about 920km northeast of Northland's Cape Brett.

Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said the cargo ship Tasman Provider rendezvoused with the man's yacht Na Eala, which was dismasted in bad weather and had lost engine power.

RCCNZ said this afternoon the 41-year-old yachtsman was safe and well.

He would return to New Zealand aboard Tasman Provider, which was expected in Auckland about 8pm tomorrow.

The man was sailing the 13.5m Na Eala from Opua in the Bay of Islands to the Cook Islands.

When the cabin filled with fumes he decided evacuation was the best course of action, RCCNZ mission controller Geoff Lunt said.

Mr Lunt said the yachtsman felt the engine would not last much longer.

The yacht was likely to be abandoned and a warning notice to mariners issued.

- NZPA