26 June 2005
The Bluenose and her two crew have been located safe and well near a small island south east of the main island of New Caledonia.
Bluenose had been blown 1700 kilometres off course and her radio was out.
She plans to sail for Noumea in the morning.
The RNZAF Orion will return to New Zealand this evening after covering around 65,000 square kilometers over three days of searching.
Bluenose was alongside another yacht, Kuta, off the Isle of Pines when they learned of the search operation launched for them.
Kuta then alerted Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) at about 6.45pm this evening.
For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
