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Third Search and Rescue for Air Force Orion’s

Published: Mon 13 Jun 2005 01:11 PM
Third Search and Rescue for Air Force Orion’s
The Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron has capped off a busy weekend, after launching a P3 Orion on a search and rescue mission for the third time in four days.
The troubled yacht Scot Free, with ripped sails. The yacht is also without GPS and has no diesel.
An Orion was launched early this morning after an emergency beacon signal was picked up 740 kilometres northeast of North Cape.
At 9.30am the crew of the Orion found the vessel Scot Free floundering in rough and heavy seas.
The yacht has ripped sails and is without GPS. It is believed the skipper is suffering from head lacerations.
On Friday an Air Force Orion found a lone yachtsman in trouble 450 nautical miles north east of New Zealand. Yesterday another Orion located a yacht floundering in heavy seas south of Tonga.
No. 5 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander John Lovatt, says from on board the Orion, it is a busy time of year for the Squadron and his personnel are working hard.
“Not only are we on call and carrying out search and rescue missions, but we’re also conducting regular fishery patrols in the Pacific. We have an aircraft and crews exercising in Scotland and all our personnel are continuously training to maintain a high skill level,” said Wing Commander Lovatt.
ENDS

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