Two Rescued In High Seas

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 1

Two Rescued In High Seas

Two men were rescued in high seas from their trimaran about 80 miles east of Godley Head about 8.45 p.m. yesterday by a fishing boat. Both are believed to be fit and well.

They are Mr Alan Legge, aged 22, of 47 Bishopworth Street, Opawa, and Mr Gary Bowden, aged 25. of 9 Taranaki Street, Picton. They left Lyttelton in their yacht Solitaire abont 1.30 pm. on Saturday for Picton The Lyttelton Harbour Board watchtower heard a Mayday call at 2.5 p.m. yesterday, but those on board the yacht were unable to say exactly where they were. However, they told those manning the Search and Rescue co-ordination centre at Christchurch International Airport that about 10 a.m. yesterday they had heard an aircraft A search was made of all flight plans for yesterday morning and it was found that an R.NS.AJF. Devon on a navigation exercise from Wigram had been in an area about 70 miles due east of Godley Head about that time. Air Search Another Devon left Wigram at 3 p.m. to search the area for the missing yacht The coaster Parera left Lyttelton for the area at 4.20

pjn. It was then expected she would arrive in the search area about 8.45 p.m. Other vessels were not considered because of the conditions in the area. At 5.15 pun. the Devon dropped a flare and those on board the yacht reported to search headquarters they had seen it. A short time later the Devon sighted the yacht The radar at Christchurch International Airport was then used to get an accurate fix on the Devon, which was circling above the yacht When that aircraft had to leave to refuel another from Wigram took its place to guide the Parera to the yacht Boat Arrives The Devon reported to search headquarters shortly after 8.10 p.m. that a fishing boat the Picton, had arrived in the area and was circling the yacht The Parera was still four miles away. About 9.45 p.m. search : headquarters were told the Picton had managed to get the two men off the yacht and had taken it in tow to Lyttelton. At the time of the rescue there was a 30-knot wind : blowing and risibility was i only fair.