New Zealand pair rescued off Fiji after yacht hit reef

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has today assisted with coordination the rescue of a man and a woman from a New Zealand registered yacht, which sank after hitting a reef off Fiji at around 12 noon.

The 14 metre yacht Touche hit a reef approximately twenty-six miles east of Savusavu harbour, at the entrance to Samosamo Strait, Fiji.

Search and Rescue Officer Kevin Banaghan said a 59-year-old man from Great Barrier Island and a 53-year-old woman from Tauranga were rescued after abandoning ship and activating their 406MHz EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon). Both are safe and well.

On receiving the distress beacon’s signal, RCCNZ advised the Fiji Rescue Coordination Centre, which sent a tug and rescued the pair at about 2pm, New Zealand time.

Media note:  Maritime New Zealand is unable to release the names of rescued individuals.