Merchant Ship Rescues Yachties near NZ

 

Five crew members were sailing the multi-million dollar yacht Platino from Auckland to Fiji on Monday when foul weather tore down the boat's rigging, killing one and throwing one over the side without a survival suit. The man overboard has not been identified and remains missing.

 

The yacht was around 550 kilometres north of Auckland when four-metre waves and 150-km/h-plus winds struck the Fiji-bound yacht, washing the man overboard and bringing down the just refitted yacht's rigging, killing Saull.

 

Around 3pm Tuesday, crew aboard the Southern Lily managed to haul aboard Ross McKee and yacht owners, the McKeoghs.

 

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has suspended the search for the sailor lost overboard.

 

The Southern Lily continued her commercial voyage to Auckland and is expected to arrive Wednesday.