STS PICTON CASTLE

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Picton Castle assisted distressed yacht, help to no avail

On 31 July, 2013, the Austrian skipper of the 12,8-m-yacht "Gobo" sent a distress call by satellite phone to maritime rescue authorities in Germany, reporting a leak, damage to rigging supporting the mast, and an overheating engine. The German authorities contacted the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, which arranged for the "Picton Castle" to rendezvous and assist with repairs, including work on the shrouds supporting the mast, the water pump, and installing an auxiliary bilge pump. After those repairs, the skipper’s intention was to continue the voyage, but conditions since deteriorated, so that the Austrian couple had to abandon the "Gobo" 220 nautical miles east of American Samoa after the skipper of the yacht made another distress call on Aug 6 at around 11 p.m. The American Samoan based f/v "Tifa Imoana" was close by and the couple were successfully transferred at around 9 a.m. on Aug 7. The couple was expected to be delivered to Pago Pago in American Samoa in the forthcoming two days. The yacht remained afloat at present and mariners were advised of its position.