Stephen Jones and Tanya Davies
A Welsh sailor has been rescued in the Pacific Ocean after his yacht overturned in a storm. Stephen Jones, 52, from Llandudno Junction, and his partner Tanya Davies, 43, suffered head injuries. The rescue was hampered by rough seas and Radio New Zealand said earlier it was unclear when boats would be able to save the pair.
The yacht went over in high winds 700km (435 miles) south west of Tonga and 1,260km (783 miles) from New Zealand. The 38ft (11.6m) boat, called Windigo, righted itself and both Mr Jones and Ms Davies managed to stay on board. Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said Mr Jones also suffered a back injury during the incident, but his and Ms Davies’s injuries were not thought to be serious.
RCCNZ said the pair had been taken aboard the cargo ship Chengtu at 9am New Zealand time, where they were receiving a medical check up.
The Chengtu is now heading south to rendezvous with the navy vessel, HMNZS Otago. Keith Allen of RCCNZ paid tribute to the efforts of the Chengtu, the yacht Adventure Bound, which had been in the area overnight, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Its pilots made three flights to the stricken yacht, while an aircraft from the French navy also made two trips from the Pacific island, Noumea.
Mr Allen said: “This is the outcome we have been working towards since the emergency beacon was activated on Wednesday afternoon.
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