Kiwi yachtie found in liferaft 90 nautical miles east of Norfolk Island

November 18, 2017

A New Zealand yachtsman has been found clinging to a liferaft 90 nautical miles east of Norfolk Island.

The man had been sailing single-handedly from Vanuatu to Marsden Point.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand has been coordinating rescue efforts for the yachtsman since 6.15am today.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Dave Wilson said RCCNZ responded to a distress beacon set off by the yacht Waimanu.

Mr Wilson said a New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules aircraft was sent out to find the location of the beacon.

A cargo shoip, the Norfolk Guardian, was also diverted to the location.

The Hercules found the yachtsman in Waimanu's liferaft at 11.50 am and will remain overhead to oversee the rescue effort.

The Norfolk Guardian is due to arrive at the scene at 3pm.


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