Media Release
12 September 2012
Orion Assists Offshore Rescue
At 0630 this morning a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion was requested to respond to a mayday call from the Amaltal
Columbia, a vessel in distress off the coast of Christchurch.
An Orion was already airborne for a standard fisheries patrol in the vicinity and was able to respond and assist
quickly.
The Orion located the vessel in distress approximately 40 nautical miles east of Christchurch and is still at the
location and continues to relay up-to-the minute reports to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand who are
co-ordinating the response.
ENDS