A family of eight rescued by a French warship after their yacht became stranded at sea have praised Maritime New Zealand's rescue co-ordination efforts.
The Bradfield family, of Auckland, had left Tonga for New Zealand and got into trouble after gale force winds battered their yacht for days.
The mast broke and the rigging then became tangled under the rudder and keel, making it immobile in the Pacific Ocean.
The family also lost their radio aerial and quickly fashioned one using a piece of wire and a fishing rod. They then managed to make contact with Taupo maritime radio and the Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted about 5pm on Tuesday.
An RNZAF Hercules was sent to watch over the yacht until French warship La Glorieuse arrived to pick the family up 200 nautical miles of the coast of New Zealand.
Skipper Charles Bradfield says the experience has filled him with confidence to know New Zealand has a fantastic rescue co-ordination centre.
"This was actually an amazing experience because we sat on deck and when they were in our vicinity we set off a flare. They identified us, they circled overhead and remained circling until the French navy were there."
The Bradfields were greeted by friends and family when the ship arrived at Queens Wharf in Auckland on Thursday morning.
Mr Bradfield says the family has every intention of looking for another yacht and going sailing again.
