11 August 2007
A sinking fishing boat with three people on board has been deliberately beached in Takou Bay north of Whangarei overnight.
The Rescue Coordination Centre of NZ (RCCNZ) received a mayday (radio) call at 2.45 this morning from the skipper of the 13 metre Mana Rosesaying that the vessel was taking on water and sinking after running into rocks near the Cavelli Islands in Northland.
RCCNZ Mission Controller, Keith Allen, said that the skipper decided to try to beach the vessel before it sank.
“A rescue helicopter was sent from Whangarei to assist and, if necessary, winch the crew to safety”, said Mr Allen.
“However, at 3.30 am we received a further call from the skipper of the Mana Rose to say that the vessel had been successfully grounded 100 metres offshore near the Takou River mouth in Takou Bay.
The three crew then made their way to shore in the vessel’s liferaft.
All crew are safe and well and are being taken back to Opua in the Bay of Islands by the rescue helicopter”, said Mr Allen.
For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
