Missing Yachtsman: Paul Van Rensburg

Eleven days after setting sale from Tauranga to Gisborne there is still no sign of missing yachtsman Paul Van Rensburg or his 11meter Yacht the “Tafadzwa”

Mr Van Ransburg set sail from Tauranga on the morning of Friday the 12th of March, and was last heard from, in a phone call to his partner at 2.11pm that afternoon. He was due to arrive in Gisborne on Sunday March 14th but never arrived. The official search by RCCNZ started on Monday the 15th, and included the use of an Air-Force P3 Orion with Radar, and other fixed wing Aircraft and shoreline searches by Helicopter. The RCCNZ have stated they have covered a search area of approximately 360,000km and out to a fair distance off shore, from Gisborne to the East Cape. This ‘Official Search’ was suspended on Thursday the 18th of March.

However, even though this radar search was designed to pick up the steel hulled yacht, it could have easily missed the boat or even flown straight over the top of it, should the Yacht have been in a deep swell trough at the time. This search was also not in anyway designed to cover the possibility that Mr Van Rensburg could have been in his Life Raft at the time, as this would not at all have been picked up by the Radar being used. The search did not cover the extended area North or North West, which it is now felt that the boat could have traveled or drifted giving the weather conditions he would have suddenly faced.
Not long after leaving Tauranga on the Friday evening, major strong winds and storms hit the direct area he was sailing into. It is highly possible he fell into problems or trouble from this time onwards.
There have been no confirmed sightings, no debris found and no emergency beacons have been set off. We strongly believe he is still out there somewhere.

A private investigation is now underway by a team of people, supported by friends, family and industry professionals from around the world and is already bringing into light new information and possible scenarios. We are currently presenting the RCCNZ with new information and scenarios surrounding Paul going missing, in an effort to have the search reinstated. We believe that there are a number of key factors that have not been investigated thus far.

We have currently set up a website www.letsfindpaul.co.nz that will be running from today to gather and pass on information, and a Toll Free information line. We have also set up a charity fund for people to donate to and a TXT to donate number to make an instant donation. These funds are to enable a private search to happen should the RCCNZ not be willing to resume their search given the new facts surrounding the disappearance. In the event that a new search, shows no sign of Paul the funds will be utilized to search further a field

A small but dedicated group of friends and family are currently working around the clock, from various areas around the world to compile resources, in an effort to find Paul, his yacht ‘Tafadzwa” and the answers required, to put this matter to rest.

A man, a dog and a 11meter boat, cannot just vanish into thin air!.

Any donations and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

ENDS

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