Search for two-man crew off Tonga
Rescuers are searching for an Australian and Englishman after their yacht ran aground near Tonga.
The yacht, the Navillus, was sailing from the Caribbean to Bundaberg and the men, both aged in their 60s, used a satellite phone to call a relative in Victoria, Australia, to say they had run aground.
An emergency locator beacon was also activated.
The wreck was found on Thursday night off the island of Late. The area is west of Vava'u, Tonga.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion was sent to the area on Friday morning and two local fishing boats searched the area.
"They have located the hull of the vessel, and seen a lot of debris," rescue co-ordinator Geoff Lunt said.
"The yacht's dinghy has been found, and an undeployed liferaft, as well as a number of lifejackets."
There are potential landing points on the island near to where the hull was found, and crew from one of the search vessels went ashore to inspect these, Mr Lunt said.
The Orion was due to land in Tonga at nightfall.
The search will resume on Saturday.
"Survival time in the water is estimated at 36 hours and this would be extended if lifejackets were worn," Mr Lunt said.
Police in Victoria are in contact with family members.
Lori and I are sitting here wondering how anyone could hit Late island unless they were asleep or set your course through the middle of the island. Late is a magnificent volcanic cone about 1500 ft tall just as you are leaving Tonga on your way to Fiji.
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