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Storm hits Stephen Jones's yacht in Pacific off Tonga Sailor Stephen Jones rescued in Pacific off Tonga
(about 2 hours later)
Rescue boats have reached a Welsh sailor whose yacht overturned in a storm in the Pacific Ocean. A Welsh sailor has been rescued in the Pacific Ocean after his yacht overturned in a storm.
But Radio New Zealand said they could not rescue Stephen Jones, 52, from Llandudno Junction, and his partner Tanya Davies, 43, on the Windigo. Radio New Zealand said Stephen Jones, 52, from Llandudno Junction, and his partner Tanya Davies, 43, were safe.
The station said the seas were too rough and it was unclear when the boats would be able to carry out a rescue. 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.
It rolled over in high winds 700km (435 miles) south west of Tonga and 1,260km (783 miles) from New Zealand. The yacht righted itself and both were still on board.
The yacht has righted itself and both are 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.