Dismasted Cruising Sailor: 'I only need diesel.'

9:14 PM Thu 18 Dec 2008 GMT

'Guardian’s approximate location' .

A European sailor on 12 metre cruising yacht Guardian, on his way from Tonga to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, has been dismasted, and has said 'No' to abandoning his boat when requested to do so by rescuers.

He says the assistance that he needs is merely of fuel, and is hoping to obtain some from a passing commercial vessel.

The situation was reported by New Zealand's 'Northern Advocate', who described the yachtie as 'drifting helplessly'. Would-be rescuers landed on the deck of the damaged vessel to try to persuade the yachtie to accept help and be lifted off by helicopter.

Kristin Edge reported that it was hoped a commercial boat in the area, nearly 300km northeast of Kerikeri, would instead rendezvous with the stricken yacht Guardian.

The alarm was raised with the National Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Wellington about 11.30pm on Tuesday, when the yacht's emergency position-indicating radio beacon (epirb) was activated.

Guardian adrift, photo by Mark Going, The Northern Advocate - .. .

The rescue centre dispatched a fixed-wing plane from Hamilton to search for the boatie, unsure what the emergency was.

Centre spokesman Ross Henderson said the yacht's lights were spotted about 2am but, due to a thick blanket of sea mist rescuers, were not able to see how many people were on board. They were unable to contact the yacht over the radio so turned back to Whangarei.

As the weather conditions improved the plane flew to the yacht about 5.30am and it was discovered the wooden mast on the yacht had snapped and was dragging in the water.

With still no radio contact it was uncertain if the sailor was injured. The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter flew to Kerikeri, refuelled and then, aided by a tail wind, made the one-hour mercy flight to the yacht.

Chief pilot Peter Turnbull said the yacht was rolling round in 3m swells, with the sail and mast submerged under the water.

The helicopter hovered over the vessel in 30-knot (55km/h) winds while Mark Going operated the winch and lowered St John advanced paramedic Wally Mitchell on to the deck.

The sailor was told this was his only opportunity to be rescued by air and taken to shore. Mr Mitchell said the European man, in his 50s, did not want to abandon his boat.

'I guess he had his whole life on there.'

The man was not injured and was in no imminent danger. However, he did not have enough diesel left to make land. It was unclear how the mast had snapped.

The rescue helicopter returned to Whangarei after being in the air for three hours. The rescue centre was keeping in close contact with boats in the area to ensure the yachtie made it to shore. If an epirb was activated the rescue centre would respond.

Editor's Comment: With the number of sailors who abandon their sound boats after a dismasting, the loss of a rudder or any incident which does not endanger its seaworthiness, it's no wonder the rescue authorities and the general press are amazed by a sailor who doesn't panic and addresses the situation in hand. While we are unaware why the sailor was not answering radio calls, Sail-World Cruising takes its hat off to this sailor for his calm seamanship.

by Kristin Edge, Northern Advocate/Sail-World

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