RCCNZ coordinates yacht rescue 4

5 June 2012 - 11.30am

The damaged yacht Beau Geste is now safely anchored off Norfolk Island's capital Kingston, after suffering hull and decking damage 100 nautical miles east of the island while participating in the Auckland to Noumea yacht race.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) search and rescue mission coordinator Neville Blakemore said all 18 members of the crew were safe and well ashore, and in good spirits.

The 24-metre Beau Geste sought assistance from RCCNZ around 7pm yesterday (Monday 4 June), and RCCNZ arranged for the yacht to be accompanied by the fishing vessel Advance 2 as it made its way to Norfolk Island.

Beau Geste is now anchored off Kingston Jetty, where its damage will be assessed.

"It would have been a long night for the crew, in difficult conditions, but the boat has made safe anchorage under its own power," Mr Blakemore said. "A support vessel was on hand throughout the night in case the crew had to abandon ship."

The crew is made up of New Zealanders, Australians, Chinese, with one American on board.