MEDIA RELEASE Date: Sunday 24 April 2005
Time: 8.55am
Yacht in Trouble Off Stewart Island
The Rescue Coordination Centre is arranging assistance for a yacht in trouble 30 kilometres southwest of Muttonbird
Island, near the southern tip of Stewart Island.
The yacht, skippered by a 71 year old solo yachtsman, has lost all power.
Search and Rescue Mission Controller John Dickson, says that weather and sea conditions in the area are very poor, with
southerly winds of around 50 kilometres per hour being experienced.
“ We have arranged for a helicopter to rendezvous with the yacht and drop a battery and water pump to the skipper.
“However, the skipper may be taken off the yacht if the situation deteriorates”, said Mr Dickson.
The helicopter is expected to reach the yacht at around 9:45am this morning.
A fishing vessel is also on its way to the yacht, but is 2 to 3 hours away.
ENDS
An update will be sent once further information comes to hand.