18 nov 2017. The following is from NZ Herald after the rescue.A New Zealand man has been found drifting on a life raft in rough seas after his yacht got into trouble is safe and well. Phil van der Mespel was being buffeted by rough, three-metre swells amid strong 30-knot winds in the Pacific Ocean, 166km east of Norfolk Island. A Maritime New Zealand spokesman said the man was picked up by the Norfolk Guardian vessel about 3pm and was expected to arrive at Norfolk Island before midnight.

It is not yet known what happened to his 10m yacht, Waimanu.

At anchor, Port Vila.