Women rescued from yacht near Tonga

Two women have been rescued off a yacht south off Tonga after the vessel lost its mast in a heavy storm.

A P3 Orion aircraft was dispatched last night after the Bird of Passage was caught in the storm in the North Minerva Reef, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand mission controller Neville Blakemore said today.

The yacht lost its mast in 8m waves and winds of up to 50 knots, he said.

The yacht Namerida assisted the Orion after storm conditions forced a research vessel initially sent to help to pull out.

"The Namerida was within the reef which provided more shelter from the storm and was able to rendezvous with the distressed Bird of Passage and take the two ladies on board safely," Mr Blakemore said in a statement.

- NZPA