Yacht due to reach Port tomorrow morning

The Rescue Coordination Centre of NZ has confirmed that the yacht, Raya, which got into difficulty off the northeast coast of the North Island, is now being towed to Opua port by the Navy patrol vessel Kahu.

Kahu met up with Raya about 60 miles northeast of Opua, late this afternoon. They are traveling towards Opua at a speed of 4 knots, and are expected to reach port at around 5 or 6 o’clock tomorrow morning.

The RCCNZ arranged for the Navy patrol vessel Kahu to tow the Raya to Opua, after the yacht had engine trouble early this morning.

Yesterday, a large search was carried out for the Raya. The Skipper had twice failed to report in to the Maritime Operations Centre, as had earlier been arranged after he reported problems with the yacht’s mast. The Skipper eventually made contact at 6.30pm last night, and confirmed the yacht was not in danger. He later advised that the yacht was experiencing engine trouble and sought the RCCNZ’s assistance.

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