Northland District Headquarters
Walton Plaza, Whangärei
Friday August 14, 2009

After being unable to locate a missing boat off the coast southeast of Whangärei, Police and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand have released the tape of a mayday call in the hope that the boat's occupants can be identified.

Whangärei Coastguard received a call from a marine radio about 1am this morning from a person saying that their boat, described as blue and white, was in trouble at the Hen and Chicken Islands.

The person stated that there were four people on board and that they had trouble with their fuel and electrics. He then said that the boat was taking on water.

Following the call a search for the boat was mounted, involving a Whangärei Coastguard boat, Police, Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter, the Navy ship Pukaki and a fixed wing aeroplane.

After failing to locate the boat the search was suspended about 2pm today.

There were no details in the mayday call about the size of the boat, the owner, its exact location and any safety equipment it may be carrying.

A number of media alerts were put out regarding the missing boat and Police received some inquiries from concerned people.

These inquiries have been investigated and all accounted for. There is also no local knowledge of the missing boat. The possibility of the call being a hoax is also being investigated.

However, Police still have concerns for the missing boat and its occupants and would like to hear from anyone who recognises the person on the mayday call.

• Rescue Co-ordination Centre: Mayday Call Received From A Vessel In Distress Off The Hen And Chicken Islands

ENDS

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