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Equipment failures and the "gnawing" elements have hampered a transtasman paddle, with fears two kayakers face certain danger as they get closer to New Zealand.
Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, have been forced to dump overboard a bilge pump and their electric desalination pump broke, requiring them to use a manual version to produce up to 10 litres of drinking water a day.
The pair departed 18 days ago on their 2,200km adventure and hope to reach New Zealand by Christmas.