Navy ship resumes search for 'iron maiden'
26 October, 2004
NAVY SHIP resumes search for 'iron maiden'
The Navy is responding to a request for assistance from The Transport Accident Investigation Commission to carry out a search for the vessel Iron Maiden using side-scan sonar equipment. The Rescue Coordination Centre and NIWA have together provided tidal and wind information to give likely positions where the Iron Maiden foundered.
The dive tender HMNZS MANAWANUI departed the Devonport Naval Base this morning bound for Cape Reinga, with specialist sonar equipment onboard. MANAWANUI spent eight days in the search area covering up to 100sq km of ocean prior to mechanical problems forcing her early return to Auckland last week. MANAWANUI will now resume the search and spend a further six days in the search area.
Background
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the Maritime Safety Authority are both investigating the accident in which the fishing vessel Iron Maiden foundered somewhere near Pandora Bank to the south-west of Cape Reinga on 16 August 2004. The liferaft and body of the skipper were found in the early hours of 17 August. The body of the second crewman has not been found.
ENDS