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A log carrier heading from Tauranga to China aided in the rescue of three people trapped on a stricken yacht off the coast of New Zealand last night.

The carrier Laura Bulkerhad left the Port of Tauranga when it was asked to help rescue the stricken yacht Django in trouble about 170 nautical miles north of Auckland.

Gunline being hauled in by Django crew. Photos: NZDF

Crew onboard the HMNZS Otago assess the set and vessel drift.

The 11m yacht had been taking part in the ANZ Sail Fiji Race and was returning to New Zealand when the crew issued a mayday call at around 11am Tuesday.

In a statement published on the race's website, Django owner Andrew Reid said the yacht and its crewhad been battered by 5m seas and winds over 50km/h.

'The rudder stock snapped between the two bearings, leaving the rudder swinging underneath the boat, trying to rip itself free,” says Andrew.

'The crew sent out a request for assistance and set the liferaft up, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.”

The Laura Bulker and the Royal New Zealand Navy patrol vessel HMNZS Otago were both in the area and tasked by RCCNZ to aid theyacht.

The Otago was on scene first at around 5.30pm, with the Laura Bulker arriving soon after.

But the rescue was not all plain sailing.

After abandoning the yacht, the crew's liferaft was being hauled across to the Otago but there were fears the larger vessel would roll over and crush them in the heavy seas, so they cut the rope.

A swimmer was then sent by the Otago with another rope to tie the liferaft on again and bring it alongside. They were later transferred safely on board the navy patrol vessel.

Andrew says Django's skipper Ben Costello and crew members Bex Heilkema and Andrew Cooke all responded exceptionally.

'The boat was still floating when they transferred onto the Frigate, and the rudder had not yet sheared off, however large cracks were appearing around the area of the bottom bearings, so we don't know how long that will last.”

The Otago wasexpected to arrive in Devonport, Auckland, today.

The yacht and liferaft were still afloat when the vessels departed the area and a navigation warning has been issued to advise mariners of its position.