Damaged yacht being towed in Opua

A disabled yacht is being towed to shore after losing its mast about 160 nautical miles off the Northland coast.

The solo sailor aboard the 12 metre yacht Guardian is due to reach Opua in the Bay of Islands later today.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington said the yacht was in no danger of sinking but its wooden mast was dragging in the water

The yachtie had refused to leave the yacht which had been sailing from Tonga to the Bay of Islands.

The Northland Electricity helicopter answered two distressed calls from the yachtie - once on Tuesday night when he lost his mast and again early yesterday when he feared he would not have enough fuel to reach Opua.

Chief pilot Peter Turnbull said after the first distress call, the chopper flew nearly 160 nautical miles to the yacht and lowered a paramedic on board.

It was established the yachtie was not hurt and did not need medical assistance and the chopper returned to Whangarei.

The helicopter was sent out again early yesterday when the yachtie set off the beacon for the second time over fears he did not have enough fuel to reach shore.

He was then met by the vessel Waipori and was now being towed to Opua.

- NZPA