14 August 2009: 8.30am
A fixed wing aircraft from the Philips Search and Rescue Trust in Taupo will shortly begin an aerial search for a vessel missing near the Hen and Chickens Islands, south east of Whangarei.
RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said a Mayday was received from the vessel East Coaster at 1.30am today. The distress call indicated there were four people on board and the vessel was in trouble.
However, no further broadcasts had been received.
A helicopter and a Coastguard vessel searched the area overnight but did not see any sign of the East Coaster. Deteriorating weather conditions prevented an aerial search at first light but the Navy vessel Pukaki and a Coastguard vessel have continued to search this morning.
Mr Roberts said public assistance was still needed in identifying who was on board the East Coaster and where the vessel may have gone. The vessel was understood to be blue and white.
“If anyone has any information about this vessel or those on board, we would really appreciate hearing from them,” Mr Roberts said.
Mr Roberts said conditions in the area were fairly bad with winds gusting from 20 to 30 knots, high seas with 2 metre swells and low visibility.
The plane from Taupo was robust enough to search in the prevailing conditions and would be covering a search area determined by RCCNZ.
Anyone with any information about the East Coaster is asked to please contact RCCNZ, Maritime Radio on Channel 16, or the local police.
For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
