Yacht shepherded back to Wellington

Porirua Rescue stood by the 9 metre yacht "Overload" this morning she was participating in the 2 handed around North Island race and damaged her shift keel mechanism in heavy seas North of Kapiti on Saturday. Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast units were involved in shepherding the yacht down to a safe anchorage overnight. The Coastguard Mana Incident Management Team became involved late Saturday evening and made contact with the yachts master and with members of the Mana Cruising Club for advice on getting "Overload" which draws 2.7 metres into safety at Mana. This was not possible with the current tide levels and Overloads skipper decided to try and make Wellington harbour using their 8 hp auxiliary motor.

Grant Porter one of the Coastguard Mana masters was rung at midnight and contacted a crew (Chris Darch, Trevor Burgess and Matt Annear). Trust Porirua Rescue left Mana at 0600 this morning and rendezvoused with Overload off Raumati Beach. The Mana crew transferred 60 litres of petrol onto Overload and then provided a safety escort around to the approaches of Wellington Harbour. Sea conditions this morning were moderate and there was a weather window of reasonable condition's to allow a safe passage through Cook Strait and the are known as the Karori Rip. Porirua Rescue left Overload off Island Bay for the return to Mana with an ETA of 1430 (8.5 hrs. on the water).

As Porirua Rescue approached Mana she was asked to assist with another 9 metre with engine trouble and assisted the vessel back into Mana Marina. A long day for the crew but some very happy boats crews assisted in their times of trouble and both returned to safe harbour.

Overload has since been seen in Seaview Marina safe and well.

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