An early morning yacht rescue unfolded in Cook Strait over Labour Weekend after a distress beacon alerted authorities to a vessel taking on water. Around 1am on Sunday, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) received an emergency signal from a yacht about 13 nautical miles north of Cape Koamaru in the Marlborough Sounds.
The Maritime Operations Centre (MOC), which runs the 24/7 maritime radio service, quickly verified the alert and relayed vital details to RCCNZ, allowing a rapid and coordinated response. Two commercial vessels and Marlborough Coastguard were dispatched to the scene.
The Seapatroller located and rescued the sailor, who was found uninjured but shaken, before transferring them to the Coastguard vessel for the return to shore. The operation lasted about five and a half hours in challenging conditions, with strong winds and rough seas hampering access.
The Marlborough Harbourmaster has since secured the yacht in a safe position. RCCNZ has thanked all responders for their swift, professional teamwork, which ensured the sailor’s safe recovery in the early hours of the morning.
