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Stranded Polish sailor won't be charged for rescue

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Apr 2017, 2:40PM
Gregor Wegrzyn set off an emergency beacon when his yacht Regina R suffered a steering failure. (Supplied)
Gregor Wegrzyn set off an emergency beacon when his yacht Regina R suffered a steering failure. (Supplied)

Stranded Polish sailor won't be charged for rescue

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Apr 2017, 2:40PM

Maritime New Zealand says a Polish round-the-world solo yachtsman who had to be convinced to leave his damaged vessel in the south Pacific Ocean won't be charged for the rescue.

Gregor Wegrzyn, 64, set off an emergency beacon 2700 metres east of Christchurch when his yacht Regina R suffered a steering failure on Thursday.

But when when the cargo vessel Key Opus arrived to rescue him on Saturday afternoon he was reluctant to leave.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre says it eventually had to fly an interpreter from the Polish Embassy four hours in a Defence Force plane to talk Mr Wegrzy off the yacht yesterday.

Once the Polish speaker - who was known to the man - made radio contact with him, he was able to convince him of the gravity of the situation and he agreed to leave his boat.

Anyone within New Zealand waters is entitled to call for help without charge and details could not be provided on how much the rescue would have cost, she said.

The 10.6m vessel had been headed for Cape Horn as part of a journey around the world.

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