Two people rescued, second yacht located

There is positive news this morning surrounding the rescue missions for the crew on board two yachts caught up in atrocious weather conditions north of New Zealand.

Two Canadian yachties were rescued just before 5am from their battered yacht Scot Free, and the yacht Ciru, which capsized late yesterday, was found by an Orion early this morning.

In the first incident, the container ship Capitaine Wallis arrived at the last known location of Scot Free at 3.15am this morning. Despite the darkness, Capitaine Wallis was able to locate the yacht, and take two yachties off onto their ship. They are both safe and well. How they were rescued is unknown, at this stage.

In the second incident, at 1.15am the Orion arrived at the location where the yacht Ciru capsized late yesterday. They were led to the yacht by flares being fired from the vessel.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ mission controller Geoff Lunt says the safety of the crew on board Ciru is unknown; however, the flares are a positive sign.

“As well as the flares being released, when the Orion flew over the capsized vessel it detected a hotspot at the back of the vessel which is a positive sign.

“The Orion is staying in the area and needs to wait until twilight – about 6.40am – until it can further assess the situation and provide help.

“We’ve also got two vessels heading towards Ciru. The first to arrive on scene will be Baltimar Boreas at about 9.30am.” One of the crew on board Ciru is Swedish, the other is a New Zealander.

ENDS

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