Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Birds Eye View of Daring Rescue


11 October 2005

Birds Eye View of Daring Rescue

The Air Force Orion involved in this evening rescue of the Janette Gay has arrived back at RNZAF Base Whenuapai.

The crew on board the aircraft spent over five hours today flying over the stricken yacht and maintained radio contact with the crew says Aircraft Captain, FLTLT Keith Bartlett.

“We passed on a message given to the RCCNZ from close friends of the yacht's crew. It was a joke from a Monty Python sketch:

"What lives in the ocean, has four legs and gets caught in nets?" The skipper replied with the punch line straight away: "Underwater goats with aqualungs and snorkels!"’ Said Flight Lieutenant Bartlett.

The crew on board the Orion coordinated the rescue of the two people on board the vessel, which took place shortly before 7pm.

Flight Lieutenant Bartlett describes what took place below the RNZAF Orion.

“Janette Gay's skipper tied an orange sail to the deck to make it easier to spot, then he managed to restart the yacht's engine and fashioned a tiller to enable control over the vessel.“

“Once they were close to each other the rescue vessel lowered a gangway and the Janette Gay slowly approached the cargo ship. Both survivors boarded the gangway, which was quickly raised.”

“It’s been a long day, but obviously the outcome is a huge relief for all involved,” said Flight Lieutenant Bartlett.

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.