8:47 PM Thu 25 Dec 2008 GMT
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A New Zealand yachtie sailing from Fiji to the Bay of Islands clung to rocks and clambered ashore, injured but alive, after his yacht struck a remote uninhabited island off the coast of Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. In an amazing story of disaster and survival, Rewi Kemp was thought to be lost when pieces of his yacht were discovered on several islands in the area.
His yacht, 11.2 metre Moonshadow of Leigh, was already overdue on the journey, and fears held for his safety, when the wreckage was first sighted. However, after only a couple of hours search, rescue teams discovered the sailor sitting on a rock on Nepean Island, which is inhabited only by seabirds.
New Zealand Search and Rescue had contacted Norfolk Island Police last weekend to look out for Mr Kemp's yacht which was two weeks overdue.
On his return to New Zealand yesterday to an emotional reunion with his partner and family, the 62-year-old recounted his fear as he tried to avoid being crushed by his stricken yacht and his gratitude when searchers found him after 12 cold and painful hours trapped on an uninhabited island.
He said it was a miracle he survived when his boat struck rocks on Monday night off Norfolk Island. He told his rescuers that, as his radio was not working, he had decided to call in to Norfolk Island to reassure family and friends he was 'okay'. However, while sailing at night in a storm, without navigation aids, the boat hit the rocky shore of Nepean Island.
His partner, Janet Dougherty, described news of his survival as the best Christmas present ever.
After he was flung into the heavy seas in breaking waves, the current swept the sailor into a rocky bay surrounded by high cliffs.
He described his experience to the NZ Herald:
'When she struck, I ran forward. The boat struck on the keel and held together.
'It made a peculiar motion and threw me off like a bucket about 30ft in the air and I landed 15ft in front of the bow.
'I couldn't pull myself back on the boat - the bow was riding up high to meet the waves. Then as I swam in this gut, I saw the front of the boat coming at me. It was threatening to squash me as flat as a pancake.'
 | Nepean Island in relation to Norfolk - .. . |
The sailor then clung to rocks and dragged himself ashore. He described how he spent the night shivering from the wind-driven spray and in pain, his feet wounded by sea-urchin barbs.
'I tried to climb out over the cliffs but there was no way out and I waited for the low tide to try to walk around the rocks.'
As he prepared for a painful walk through uncharted territory - 'I thought I was on Norfolk Island, not a separate island' - a Norfolk Island Government vessel came into the bay and saw him.
'Someone saw wreckage and worked it out that it had to come from Nepean Island.'
Mr Kemp, a naval architect and inventor, was treated at Norfolk Hospital for broken bones in one foot and had sea-urchin spikes removed from the other foot. 'I'm not feeling so good about it because I've lost the boat. But as some cheerful Norfolk Island person said, 'At least you are alive and can build another one'.'
 | Rewi Kemp and Janet Dougherty, photo by Paul Estcourt - .. . |
Janet Dougherty said her partner had been expected to sail into Opua in the Bay of Islands on December 12. She went there and waited three days to welcome him before returning to their home in Mangere Bridge.
'I tried to keep positive but as the days went by I was getting really scared.'
Family alerted the New Zealand National Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which asked the Norfolk Island authorities to keep a lookout.
'He rang me from Norfolk Hospital at lunchtime on Tuesday to tell me he was safe. Next time he won't be sailing without me or a single-sideband radio or a satellite phone. I'm just so relieved he is here. It's the best Christmas present I could have.'
Norfolk Island Police Chief Ed Sjollema said the local searchers' skills and knowledge had enabled a quick and successful search.
by BW Media round-up
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Hamilton Island, QLD
