Timely rescue for yachties in distress

By LOUISA CLEAVE

A family out sailing had a lucky rescue after their yacht started taking water yesterday.

The couple and their 3-year-old child struck trouble in Whangarei Harbour when their new 8.5m yacht lost its propeller and propeller shaft.

The visiting yachties from Kaipara sent out a mayday message but were using the wrong VHF channel for the area.

They managed to wave down a man in a runabout who tried to tow the yacht to shore.

Meanwhile, the Whangarei Coast Guard had just launched a rescue boat on a training day with the aim of trying a new $1200 water pump, said spokesman Jeff D'Ath.

The boatie called over the radio that he was towing the damaged yacht but then said the yachtie was "bailing quite furiously".

Mr D'Ath said the coastguard boat went to the yacht, removed the woman and child and boarded with the new pump. He said the boat would have sunk within 15 to 20 minutes without Coastguard intervention about 11am.

People should make sure they knew the correct local coastguard channel.

Mr D'Ath said the family had bought the yacht just three months earlier and it been surveyed in line with Maritime Safety requirements.

The yacht was taken to a marina for repairs.

Read more in our Marine News section