Bay of Islands yacht rescue: Reports vessel was returning from Fiji, investigation launched – Stuff.co.nz

A yacht which sank in bad weather before a sailor diednear the Bay of Islands was reportedly returning from Fiji.

Stuart Pedersen, a chair of a sailing trust and an ACT Party candidate, died when the 47-foot yacht went down about 37 kilometres off the coast of Cape Brett on Monday afternoon.

Rescuers battledstrong winds and high seas beforethree survivors and Pedersen were winched from an Air Force Orion liferaft to a rescue helicopter.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust/Supplied

When the Auckland Rescue Helicopter arrived off Cape Brett, two sailors were in the water and two were in a liferaft.

Coastguard Northern Region said the four sailors abandoned their vessel, having lost their liferaft in the swells.

READ MORE:*One dead, three rescued after yacht runs into trouble near Bay of Islands*Yacht victim was a lifelong sailor and chair of sailing trust

Coastguard Bay of Islands' vessel battled nearly halfway to the survivors, but was faced with five to six metre swells and 40 to 50 knot wind gusts.

SUNLIVE

Stuart Pedersen was killed in a boating incident off Cape Brett.

Maritime New Zealand said it would be investigating.

It was liaising with police, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission,Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the coroner.

"We are still evaluating the information that has been provided to us to date and it is too early to provide further comment at this time," a spokeswoman said.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust/Supplied

Rescuers battled strong winds and high seas.

"We will be contacting the relevant parties this morning and will continue the investigation process from there."

The church of one of the survivors posted an emotional message on Facebook, asking it's members to pray after the "tragic sailing accident".

It said the yacht was returning to New Zealand from Fiji.

Freedom Church pastor Ryan Pollard toldStuff "it's just a real tragedy".

On Tuesday, Northland DHB said two people had been treated and discharged, while a female patient brought in in a critical condition was now stable.

She would be transferred from intensive care to a ward, a spokeswoman said.

Pedersen was described as "kind, hospitable, articulate and passionate", ACT Party leader David Seymour toldStuffin a statement.

"Everyone in the party who knew Stuart loved him."

In a statement toSunLive,theTauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club confirmed Pedersen was one of the organisation's"leading club members".

"Fellow club member Bruce Goodwin, Stuart's wife Pamela and Pamela's brother-in-law Steve are the survivors.

"Bruce and Steve have been released from hospital but unfortunately, Pamela is still in intensive care."

Police have been contacted for further comment.

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Bay of Islands yacht rescue: Reports vessel was returning from Fiji, investigation launched - Stuff.co.nz