Inspector John Spence said the 40-foot yacht, named Selina, lost its steering in seas off Turakirae Head, near Palliser Bay, off the Wairarapa coast. Photo / Thinkstock
Inspector John Spence said the 40-foot yacht, named Selina, lost its steering in seas off Turakirae Head, near Palliser Bay, off the Wairarapa coast. Photo / Thinkstock
A yacht which came into trouble in seas outside Wellington this morning is being towed into Wellington Harbour.
Inspector John Spence said the 40-foot yacht, named Selina, lost its steering in seas off Turakirae Head, near Palliser Bay, off the Wairarapa coast.
There were three people on board. Mr Spencesaid police received a call for help about 6.50am, with reports the vessel was battling "heavy seas" and large swells.
A nearby fishing boat, named Bonnie Kay, was the first to respond, and had the yacht under tow about 8am.
Lady Elizabeth IV, a police boat, has since taken over, and was now just outside of Eastbourne, towing the troubled vessel back to Wellington Harbour, Mr Spence said.
MetService meteorologist Emma Blades said while there were only swells of up to 1m today, there were wind gusts of up to 65km/h. "It is going to be about those conditions for the rest of the day.
It's not going to get any worse, but I can appreciate these gusts could be pretty gusty."
