A person from a small boat is receiving medical treatment after their yacht was saved by a Fiji-bound cruise ship in a high-seas rescue overnight.
Passengers onboard the Pacific Explorer, which departed Auckland on Friday, were told they were no longer calling into Suva, Fiji.
The ship had to divert at around midnight to respond to a distress call from a small boat, which reportedly had a broken mast southwest of Nadi.
The Pacific Explorer was the closest ship and required to respond to the mayday call.
Footage posted on Facebook shows the small boat bobbing around in the rough seas next to the Pacific Explorer.
Passenger Ali Gilchrist from Tauranga was aboard the Pacific Explorer and posted on Facebook saying the boat is tied to the ship.
"Our captain has managed to locate the distressed vessel, which turned out to be a yacht with a broken mast," she wrote.
"We are unsure if we are just going to continue to float around here until morning, or if they are going to attempt to do something with the broken yacht."
Maritime NZ told Newshub two further support vessels are expected to arrive at the location of the small boat later on Monday - one at about midday (local time) and another at 4pm.
Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre said one of the crew from the small boat is receiving medical treatment.
"Support from the vessels scheduled to arrive later today is needed to assist the other people on-board the yacht," Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre said.
"Due to conditions and the comparative size of the Pacific Explorer assisting the remaining people on-board the yacht isn't possible."
The cruise ship is currently on an eight-day voyage from Auckland, carrying nearly 2000 guests.
A spokeswoman for P&O Australia confirmed to NZ Herald the Pacific Explorer was "requested to assist a yacht in distress south of Fiji".
"P&O received a call for assistance from the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre and arrived at 1am local time.
"Guests will be kept up to date with any necessary itinerary adjustments as Pacific Explorer renders assistance to those in distress."
