Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
NZDF Searches for NZ Yacht in Distress Off Fiji
23 June 2017
NZDF Searches for NZ Yacht in Distress Off Fiji
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is helping search for a New Zealand-owned yacht with four people on board that activated its emergency beacon at dawn approximately 425 kilometres southeast of the Fijian capital of Suva.
Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Air Component Commander, said a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion aircraft left Auckland this morning to search for the yacht and was expected to reach its estimated location beforenoon.
“We dispatched the Orion as soon as we received the request for assistance. Time is of the essence in situations like this. The Orion’s priority is to locate the vessel, ascertain the nature of its problem and provide assistance as required,” Air Commodore Webb said.
Crew members of the 18-metre yacht sent text messages to their relatives overnight to inform them that their vessel’s backstay was broken, affecting their ability to sail. The last text message was received from the yacht about 2am.
ENDS
Global Sumud Flotilla: Saif Abukeshek & Thiago Ávila Released - Victory For International Mobilization; A Reminder Of Who Remains Behind 
Aotearoa Delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla: The Global Sumud Flotilla Remains Undeterred As Over 30 Boats Depart For Türkiye
UN Special Procedures - Human Rights: Israel Must Immediately Release Gaza-Bound Flotilla Activists, Say UN Experts
IPMSDL: Condemn The Killing Of Children, Bombing In Manipur, And Violent Repression Of People’s Protests
Médecins Sans Frontières: Three Years On, Outbreaks Everywhere - MSF Urges Boost To Sudan’s Vaccination Programs
UN News: Uncertainty Continues Over Safety In The Strait Of Hormuz