Female crew rescued south of Tonga

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand coordinated a successful search and rescue of two female crew onboard the yacht Bird of Passage caught in heavy storm conditions south of Tonga.

A P3 Orion tasked last night to search for the yacht, located the Bird of Passage within the North Minerva Reef, which had lost its mast in the storm, with winds up to 50 knots and 8 metre waves.

RCCNZ mission controller, Neville Blakemore said the yacht Namerida provided assistance after a research vessel, which was on its way, had to pull out due to heavy storm conditions.

“The Namerida was within the reef which provided more shelter from the storm and was able to rendezvous with the distressed Bird of Passage and take the two ladies onboard safely” he said.

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