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Coastguard Houhora in Daring Rescue Beyond North Cape

On the 29th of September, the Houhora Coastguard – New Zealand’s northernmost rescue unit – embarked on a remarkable mission to assist an 18-metre yacht in distress, located 20 nautical miles beyond North Cape. Known for supporting vessels travelling to and from the Pacific Islands, their volunteers once again demonstrated their expertise and dedication in a challenging situation.

The yacht, carrying five people, found itself in serious trouble after blowing out its sails, losing steering capabilities, experiencing mechanical failure, and running dangerously low on fuel. Recognising the urgency, the Coastguard crew sought special dispensation to exceed their usual 12NM operational limit. Once granted, a highly experienced crew with over 40 years of combined volunteering set off on the demanding journey northward.

After two hours, they reached the stranded yacht, where they swiftly transferred fuel and conducted a welfare check to ensure the crew’s safety. One individual, suffering from severe seasickness, was transferred to the Houhora Rescue vessel, while the rest of the yacht’s crew, relieved and now adequately fuelled, were content to continue their journey south to Opua.

This complex six-hour operation, covering over 100 nautical miles, highlighted the extraordinary dedication of the Houhora Coastguard volunteers. Arriving back at their base just as the sun set, the rescued crew member was relieved to step ashore and check in with Customs, who were waiting to assist.

“This mission was one of the most northern tasks a Coastguard vessel has undertaken and marked the second consecutive operation assisting a vessel crossing the Pacific,” a spokesperson said. The successful rescue was made possible through close coordination with Coastguard operations in Auckland, Maritime Radio, the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ, and Customs NZ.

Houhora, though a small community, takes immense pride in the selfless efforts of its volunteers, who regularly go above and beyond to assist boaties in distress along this vast stretch of coast.

Well done to all involved – another mission demonstrating the Coastguard’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.

Details provided by Coastguard NZ

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Yacht found after mayday calls sparks major rescue operation.

Maritime NZ plans to meet the skipper of a boat which made a distress call last night, sparking a major search and rescue operation.

The yacht was located 7km south of Whangārei. (file pic) Photo: 123RF

The yacht Tribe made a distress call to Maritime NZ about 6.30pm yesterday, showing the vessel's location near Waiheke.

After an initial search of the area failed to locate the yacht, search and rescue agencies believed it may have provided an incorrect location and diverted their attention to the east of the Coromandel.

It was believed two people were on board, and there were serious fears for their safety.

Today three aircraft and a navy frigate were searching the waters east of Coromandel .

But Maritime NZ confirmed this afternoon the yacht had been found and both people on board were safe.

It was located this afternoon in Bream Bay about 4 nautical miles (7km) south of Whangārei - about 80 nautical miles (150km) north of where it made its Mayday call.

Maritime NZ said in a statement a staff member expected to meet Tribe's skipper tomorrow "to discuss what happened and what lessons can be learned from the incident".

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ Senior Search and Rescue Officer Chris Henshaw said irrespective of the circumstances of this incident, anyone on the water who believed their life was in danger should not hesitate to make a Mayday call or activate a distress beacon as delay can be fatal.

"If you make a Mayday call and the situation changes for the better, then make the radio call to cancel the Mayday," Henshaw said. "You will be thanked for the cancellation - no one will be critical or angry.

"If you activated a beacon and are no longer in danger, then make sure you leave the beacon on until you are contacted by rescuers. If you turn it off, we have the position you were at but no way of knowing if you have moved or what has happened."

He advised anyone going boating to take two water-proof ways to call for help, and said a VHF radio and distress beacon were best. When close to shore a cellphone in a waterproof bag was another way to call for help.

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Dramatic high-seas rescue witnessed by 2000 Kiwi cruise passengers

The pleasure yacht in distress was found by the Pacific Explorer in the early hours of this morning. (Photo / Ali Gilchrist)

Passengers aboard a cruise out of New Zealand were witnesses to a rescue on the high seas, last night.

On Sunday evening passengers aboard the Pacific Explorer which departed Auckland on Friday were told that they would not be calling into Suva, Fiji as planned.

Around midnight, passengers were told that the 2000 berth ship would be making a diversion due west, to respond to a distress call from a small boat. As the closest ship, the Explorer was required to respond to the mayday.

The boat was intercepted at around 1.45am local time, having retraced the last known position.

Passenger Ali Gilchrist from Tauranga was aboard the Pacific Explorer .

“Our captain has managed to locate the distressed vessel, which turned out to be a yacht with a broken mast.”

The yacht, which is without propulsion, remains tied to the Explorer.

The Pacific Explorer diverted to a distress call at around 1am this morning. Photo / Shiptracker.com

“We are unsure if we are just going to continue to float around here until morning, or if they are going to attempt to do something with the broken yacht,” said Gilchrist.

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A spokeswoman for P&O Australia confirmed the Pacific Explorer was “requested to assist a yacht in distress south of Fiji”.

“P&O received a call for assistance from the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre and arrived at 1am local time.

“Guests will be kept up to date with any necessary itinerary adjustments as Pacific Explorer renders assistance to those in distress.”

The cruise ship is currently on an 8-day voyage from Auckland, carrying nearly 2000 guests.

The ship will no longer be calling into Fiji this morning as planned.

The ship which called into Auckland on Friday, was also the scene of high drama after a medical emergency in New Zealand waters.

A passenger had to be winched from the ship 120km off the coast of Northland on Thursday after becoming unwell.

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NZ Navy rescue yacht in distress off Kaikoura

HMNZS Wellington provided support to the skipper of a yacht adrift off Kaikoura's South Bay after its rigging and engine failed. Photo / NZDF

The Royal New Zealand Navy had a reason to show their heroic side when a yacht struck troubled waters.

They swooped in to save the boat in Kaikoura yesterday.

The Navy's offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington was giving members of Coastguard Kaikoura and their families a tour when Kaikoura police requested assistance.

The yacht under tow to calmer waters so that the skipper could safely repair his rigging in Kaikoura. Photo / NZDF

A yacht had ran adrift off Kaikoura's South Bay after its rigging and engine failed.

Wellington's commanding officer Matt Kaio said they were at anchor close to the yacht.

"We lost no time in coming to her aid. The boat was drifting towards the rocks, the skipper had no means to seek help as his cellphone battery was flat, he had run out of fuel and the engine had broken down."

Wellington sent two of its engineers to repair the yacht's engine and provided 20 litres of diesel to enable the skipper to proceed. A support boat then towed the vessel to the northern side of the peninsula, so that the skipper could safely fix his rigging protected from the weather before resuming his trip.

The yacht's skipper told crew from Wellington that he was on his way to Reefton.

The HMNZS Wellington was in Kaikoura for a one-day goodwill visit aimed at showing continued support for the earthquake-stricken seaside town.

Crew of HMNZS WELLINGTON visit Kaikoura Primary School. Photo / NZDF

About 30 crewmembers from Wellington and 10 New Zealand Army soldiers visited three primary schools to play sports with the students and hosted a sausage sizzle for them on Thursday. The sailors then visited the township to engage with the local community.

Crew of HMNZS WELLINGTON visit Saint Joseph's Primary School in Kaikoura. Photo / NZDF

Wellington arrived in Kaikoura on November 16, two days after the earthquake struck North Canterbury, to support the New Zealand Defence Force's disaster relief operation.

A Littoral Warfare Unit embarked on the ship surveyed approaches for landing crafts and anchorage positions, paving the way for Canterbury to bring aid supplies to the coastal town.

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Auckland-Fiji Pacific Explorer cruise ship diverts to yacht in distress in high seas rescue, one person receiving medical treatment

William Hewett

A person from a small boat is receiving medical treatment after their yacht was saved by a Fiji-bound cruise ship in a high-seas rescue overnight.

Passengers onboard the Pacific Explorer, which departed Auckland on Friday, were told they were no longer calling into Suva, Fiji.

The ship had to divert at around midnight to respond to a distress call from a small boat, which reportedly had a broken mast southwest of Nadi.

The Pacific Explorer was the closest ship and required to respond to the mayday call.

Footage posted on Facebook shows the small boat bobbing around in the rough seas next to the Pacific Explorer.

Passenger Ali Gilchrist from Tauranga was aboard the Pacific Explorer and posted on Facebook saying the boat is tied to the ship.

"Our captain has managed to locate the distressed vessel, which turned out to be a yacht with a broken mast," she wrote.

"We are unsure if we are just going to continue to float around here until morning, or if they are going to attempt to do something with the broken yacht."

Maritime NZ told Newshub two further support vessels are expected to arrive at the location of the small boat later on Monday - one at about midday (local time) and another at 4pm.

Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre said one of the crew from the small boat is receiving medical treatment.

"Support from the vessels scheduled to arrive later today is needed to assist the other people on-board the yacht," Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre said.

"Due to conditions and the comparative size of the Pacific Explorer assisting the remaining people on-board the yacht isn't possible."