New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
June 6 2005
Air Force Orion Locates Foundered Yacht
An Air Force Orion on routine patrol in the Fijian EEZ on Sunday 5 June was diverted to a Rescue Beacon in the Fiji
Island group, 120 nautical miles north-east of Suva. The crew quickly picked up on the beacon and found a yacht
foundered on a shallow reef.
A liferaft was seen on a nearby atoll, with sole occupant of the yacht signalling the aircraft with flares. A radio was
dropped to the sailor and communications were established. The sailor indicated that he was in good health, and had food
and water.
The Air Force Orion passed the information on to the Fiji Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the aircraft continued on with
its tasking. A Fijian Patrol Boat was expected to reach the sailor at 5am NZ time 06 Jun 05.
Photos RNZAF.
ENDS