A sailor has died and a search is underway for another man knocked overboard a yacht north of New Zealand.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand was advised at 11.20am today that a sailor in his 60s had fallen overboard from a 20m yacht, Platino, 550km north of the country.
The yacht had suffered serious rigging damage in winds of up to 75kmh, Maritime New Zealand said.
Three other people on board the yacht were in contact via satellite phone.
Rescue Coordination Centre NZ search and rescue mission coordinator Keith Allen said an RNZAF P3 Orion that was already operating in the area was on the scene within 90 minutes of the incident.
A commercial fishing vessel was also on its way to the area.
A second RNZAF Orion had since replaced the first aircraft and would continue searching until dark.
"Sea conditions are extremely dangerous and the remaining crew on board the Platino have advised that it is too hazardous to be on deck. With limited ability to manoeuvre safely, the yacht is motoring to New Zealand, but this could take at least two days."
"The fishing boat is expecting to be at the scene by around 7pm but it will not be possible to search in darkness," Maritime New Zealand said.
A Rescue Coordination Centre NZ spokesman told the Herald the search had stopped for the night now that darkness has fallen and would resume again at first light.
It was believed the boat was on its way back to New Zealand from Fiji when it got into trouble.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion plane was also used in the search.
Captain Tim Walshe said the Orion was diverted to locate the stricken yacht after it put out a distress call this morning.
The aircraft had been conducting patrols in support of the Ministry for Primary Industries off the northern coast of New Zealand.
Aircrew from the RNZAF's five Squadron said four of PLATINO's five-member crew were on board when they found the boat around 12:30pm.
"Strong winds and heavy swells had hit the yacht and smashed its boom. Fortunately, our Orion was already in the area so that greatly reduced the response time. The crew also found the yacht as soon as they reached the search area," Mr Walshe said.
Aircrew have contacted three vessels in the vicinity with a request to assist in the search for the missing man and support PLATINO's four crewmembers.
A second Orion is now on station conducting further searches for the missing man.
