New Navy Ship Assists Search For Missing Vessel

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Friday 14 August, 2009
New Navy Ship Assists Search For Missing Vessel

HMNZS PUKAKI, has joined the search for a missing vessel in the vicinity of the Hen and Chicken Islands. PUKAKI is the third of four new Navy Inshore Patrol Vessels

The Inshore Patrol Vessel was at sea undergoing her final sea evaluations prior to commencing her full operational duties when it received a MAYDAY call at 0130 am this morning from the vessel “East Coaster”. The vessel with four people onboard was reported to be in a distressed state and taking on water.

PUKAKI arrived in the search area at 0200 am and immediately commenced operations. The weather conditions have been reported as north easterly gales, sea state 3 – 5 and rain causing reduced visibility. Due to the sea and weather conditions, the Whangarei Coastguard search vessel was forced to seek shelter. At 0730 am, with 60% of the search area covered and no sign of the missing vessel, PUKAKI returned to provide hot food and water to the crew of the Coastguard vessel.

PUKAKI has now recommenced searching for the ‘East Coaster” and it is understood an aircraft tasked from the Rescue Coordination Centre and another Coastguard vessel will join the search at 0915 this morning.

ENDS