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Sailor Stephen Jones rescued in Pacific off Tonga | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Welsh sailor has been rescued in the Pacific Ocean after his yacht overturned in a storm. | |
Radio New Zealand said Stephen Jones, 52, from Llandudno Junction, and his partner Tanya Davies, 43, were safe. | |
The rescue was hampered by rough seas and the station said earlier it was unclear when boats would be able to carry out the operation. | |
The yacht went over in high winds 700km (435 miles) south west of Tonga and 1,260km (783 miles) from New Zealand. | |
Mr Jones's mother Elizabeth said the pair, who both had head injuries, originally feared the yacht would sink. | Mr Jones's mother Elizabeth said the pair, who both had head injuries, originally feared the yacht would sink. |
The yacht righted itself and both were still on board. | |
Rescue agencies in New Zealand received an emergency message from the yacht on Wednesday. | Rescue agencies in New Zealand received an emergency message from the yacht on Wednesday. |
Aircraft from New Zealand and the French navy spotted the yacht and made radio contact with the pair. | Aircraft from New Zealand and the French navy spotted the yacht and made radio contact with the pair. |
Earlier, Mr Jones's mother, who has spoken to the New Zealand coastguard, said her son and Ms Davies, from New Zealand, were hoping to ride the storm out while they wait to be rescued. | Earlier, Mr Jones's mother, who has spoken to the New Zealand coastguard, said her son and Ms Davies, from New Zealand, were hoping to ride the storm out while they wait to be rescued. |
"They were in touch with the coastguards and they kept ringing each other backwards and forwards so since then they've been looking for them," she said. | "They were in touch with the coastguards and they kept ringing each other backwards and forwards so since then they've been looking for them," she said. |
"They didn't find them until last night [Wednesday] but they can't go near them because of the weather." | "They didn't find them until last night [Wednesday] but they can't go near them because of the weather." |
She said a large swell had overturned the boat during a storm. | She said a large swell had overturned the boat during a storm. |
"It's gone back up again but it has taken water on board as well," she said. | "It's gone back up again but it has taken water on board as well," she said. |
"The first thing we heard was they were expecting it to go down and they had locked themselves in a cabin. | "The first thing we heard was they were expecting it to go down and they had locked themselves in a cabin. |
"They're both injured because they've been thrown. The storm is 75km an hour with the wind, and the waves are 10m high so they're in the middle of that. | "They're both injured because they've been thrown. The storm is 75km an hour with the wind, and the waves are 10m high so they're in the middle of that. |
"They've been in distress for nearly two days now." | "They've been in distress for nearly two days now." |
She was told about the incident by her son-in-law Dave Lloyd early on Wednesday morning. | She was told about the incident by her son-in-law Dave Lloyd early on Wednesday morning. |
Mr Jones, an experienced yachtsman who has been sailing for over 25 years, and Ms Davies, whose parents are from south Wales, were travelling from Tonga to New Zealand. | Mr Jones, an experienced yachtsman who has been sailing for over 25 years, and Ms Davies, whose parents are from south Wales, were travelling from Tonga to New Zealand. |
He has been based in Australia for many years but has been living on the yacht for about two-and-a-half years. | He has been based in Australia for many years but has been living on the yacht for about two-and-a-half years. |
Mr Lloyd said he felt more confident now that the pair would be safely rescued. | Mr Lloyd said he felt more confident now that the pair would be safely rescued. |
"The plan is at first light, or at the safest earliest opportunity, they're going to try to transfer them to another yacht," he said. | "The plan is at first light, or at the safest earliest opportunity, they're going to try to transfer them to another yacht," he said. |
"A big tanker is due to arrive there soon and will be used as a barrier to stop the swell and assist if required. | "A big tanker is due to arrive there soon and will be used as a barrier to stop the swell and assist if required. |
"There's a New Zealand navy vessel en route and they will be transferred straight away to this ship for treatment." | "There's a New Zealand navy vessel en route and they will be transferred straight away to this ship for treatment." |
Search and rescue mission co-ordinator Keith Allen said sea conditions were becoming less severe but remained rough. | Search and rescue mission co-ordinator Keith Allen said sea conditions were becoming less severe but remained rough. |
"It will be extremely uncomfortable and the people aboard are tired, but the yacht is still afloat so the correct approach is to remain onboard," he said. | "It will be extremely uncomfortable and the people aboard are tired, but the yacht is still afloat so the correct approach is to remain onboard," he said. |