Asia-Pacific News

Family of eight rescued from stricken yacht in Pacific

Jul 1, 2009, 6:36 GMT

Wellington - A family of eight was rescued from its crippled yacht in the Pacific Ocean after the skipper sent an appeal for help using a radio aerial he made out of a fishing line, the New Zealand Defence Force reported on Wednesday. A French Navy ship rescued the family early Wednesday morning after a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules located the stricken 12.6-metre sloop Carenza about 375 kilometres north of New Zealand. They were named by the Stuff news website as South African-born anaesthetist Dr Charles Bradfield, his wife Joy and children Tom, 12, Josh, 18, Matt, 16, Emma, 14, Abby, 10 and Rebekah, 6, who were sailing back home to New Zealand from Tonga when the yacht lost its mast and was foundering in heavy seas. All were reported unhurt and taken on board the French patrol boat La Glorieuse, which was on its way to New Zealand from its base in France's Pacific territory New Caledonia. It is due to arrive in Auckland Thursday morning. Air Force Wing Commander Darryn Webb said the sea was very high with big white caps when his plane found the Carenza. 'It's no wonder they were all a bit scared,' he said. He described the skipper's feat in manufacturing an aerial of sufficient strength and accuracy to raise a maritime radio station in New Zealand as 'very innovative.'

Asia-Pacific News

Family of eight rescued from stricken yacht in Pacific

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