An Irish yachtsman whose boat's mast snapped in a Southern Ocean squall on New Year's Day was towed safely through the mouth of Otago Harbour late last night.
Team Ireland skipper Enda O'Coineen was competing in the Vendee Globe endurance solo round-the-world race when he was forced to cut Kilcullen Voyager's mast and rigging about 180 nautical miles southeast of Dunedin.
Late last night Dunedin fishing trawler Lady Dorothy towed the 18.3m stricken yacht past Taiaroa Head and was making its way towards Port Chalmers.
The trawler left Dunedin yesterday morning to meet the yacht, which was stranded about 150 nautical miles off the coast from Nugget Point.
Otago regional co-ordinator for the Spirit of Adventure Trust Tony Cummings had been following the situation closely.
The trust had developed close links with the Atlantic Youth Trust, a partner supporter of Team Ireland.
The salvage had gone ''much quicker'' than expected, despite Lady Dorothy battling 5m swells to get to the yacht.
Mr O'Coineen was reported by the skipper of the trawler to be in good spirits, despite his five-day ordeal, Mr Cummings said.
The 60-year-old yachtsman was 57 days into the endurance race when he was forced to pull out.
Since the squall, the yacht had crawled towards the east coast of New Zealand using a jury-rigged sail, with the motor off, but using an auxiliary engine.
Team Ireland member Neil O'Hagan told the Otago Daily Times last night the team was devastated.
''As part of a shore team during a race like this you always worry, so knowing that Enda is safe and well and headed for port is somewhat of a relief.
''On the other hand, we're all devastated.''
Mr O'Hagan praised the ''fantastic'' local support.
Yesterday, Mr O'Coineen told Sean O'Rourke on Ireland's RTE Radio 1 he had been on a ''real downer'' since the mast broke.
''I've put two years of effort into the dream and it's been shattered.''
He did regret ''a bit'' setting out on the three-month journey.
''There are smarter things and easier ways to spend your Christmas and New Years ...
''It's been a great buzz, but the downs have been pretty down.
''I've had a run of bad luck, but you know, when you are a big boy and you take the risks, you take the consequences.''
