“The Orion left just after midnight to fly to the scene and search for the beacon. They arrived at 6.11am to find the fishing vessel Rowena.
“A radio was dropped down to the crew so they could communicate, and it was discovered the vessel’s batteries were flat and they had been drifting, dead in the water, with no other means of calling for help. All five on board are safe and well. They would have been very relieved to see the Orion flying towards them.
“The Orion located the closest available vessel, Tokolau, which is now heading towards the Rowena. It’s expected to arrive late this afternoon and will try to restart the vessel or tow it to Samoa,” he said.
The Orion has flown to Western Samoa to refuel, before returning to New Zealand.
For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
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