Two solo-yachtsman whose vessels were badly damaged north of New Zealand at the weekend have been rescued because they had distress beacons, authorities say.
A 67-year-old Norwegian yachtsman was picked up after 5pm today by the Auckland-bound container ship, Southern Lily, about 140 nautical miles north east of Cape Brett.
The man is in good health, said Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Dave Wilson.
The damaged yacht, Ilanga, is now drifting and a navigation warning has been issued. Ilanga had suffered mast and sail damage, a broken window, and a fire in an electrical panel.
Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon, a Kiwi yachtsman was rescued from his liferaft after his yacht, Waimanu, sank 90 nautical miles east of Norfolk Island.
He was rescued by the cargo ship, Norfolk Guardian, which was bound for Norfolk Island.
Currently, Norfolk Guardian is sheltering north east of the Island, with strong wind and heavy seas preventing it berthing. The ship and all on board are safe and well, Mr Wilson said.
New Zealand Defence Force aircraft assisted in both rescues. They located Ilanga and Waimanu's liferaft and guided the rescue ships to them.
Weather conditions had been bad, with winds up to 50 knots and five metre waves, Mr Wilson said.
Both yachts were well equipped, and the yachtsmen were saved because they could activate their distress beacons, he said.
"Waterproof communications saves lives. Without maritime radios and distress beacons they would not have been able to tell us they were in trouble.
"Without everyone's efforts, including the yachtsmen's preparation, the outcomes could have been tragic."
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