When it mattered: The safety of Graeme Francis and Robbery

1 June 2026

When Graeme Francis activated his EPIRB north of the Three Kings Islands in the early hours of Sunday 31 May, a coordinated response unfolded that would ultimately bring both skipper and yacht safely home to Mangōnui.

Francis, competing in the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge aboard his Wilson 36 Robbery, was found to be taking on water. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) assumed command of the response, coordinating assets and maintaining contact with race management and Francis’s next of kin throughout the night.

The first to respond on the water was fellow competitor Doug Esterman. Sailing his Cavalier 39 Fair Seasons in his own solo Tasman crossing, Esterman immediately altered course and stood by Robbery until Francis had the situation under control. Once satisfied that Francis was safe, Esterman resumed racing. It was an act of seamanship that cost him miles he may never recover.

As Robbery made her way south toward the coast, Coastguard Houhora launched their 4.8-metre Naiad RIB Endeavour Rescue. Crewed by four volunteers and two expert sailors from the Mangonui Cruising Club, the RIB was selected specifically because conditions were too rough for a larger vessel. The crew reached Robbery on Monday morning (1 June) and escorted the yacht safely into Mangōnui.

“The conditions were too rough for a big boat, so it was good to have a smaller boat we could launch,” said Coastguard Houhora skipper Greg Gemmell.

Graeme Francis is safely ashore and resting. Doug Esterman is back underway on Fair Seasons, doing his best to close the gap on the fleet. The Coastguard Houhora volunteers have returned to shore, ready for the next call.