The Lion Foundation Coastguard boat went to the aid of a disabled yacht yesterday after a Gisborne-bound Tauranga sailor got into trouble off Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast.
The solo yachtsman on board the 11 metre single-masted Celtic Dawn called for help on Saturday night.
"He lost the ability to use his sails initially when they became entangled in cables, then his motor blew up," said Gisborne Coastguard skipper Adrian Brown.
"He was able to get a jury rig going and get into Tokomaru Bay, where he went to anchor."
Coastguard kept in contact with the man by radio throughout Saturday night.
"We went up to him early yesterday morning and towed him to Gisborne, arriving at about 4.30pm yesterday," Mr Brown said.
"He was able to sail some way down the coast under his jury rig and we picked him up just north of Tolaga Bay.
"He was pretty fatigued when we arrived, and very pleased to see us."