Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre continue to coordinate the search for a recreational fishing boat and its crew, missing off the coast of Gisborne.
The alert was initially raised to police just before 4pm, 24 June. It wasn’t known where the party was when police were notified by a concerned contact of the fishing party. It has been subsequently confirmed three people were on-board the vessel.
The last communication from the vessel occurred with another vessel shortly before 10am, 24 June. At that time the missing vessel was located approx. 20km offshore.
Coastguard Gisborne, the Gisborne Rescue Helicopter, and several vessels of opportunity supported the initial search on the evening of 24 June.
Overnight, a NZDF P8 Poseidon undertook a radar search off Poverty Bay, Northern Hawkes Bay, and the Mahia Peninsula.
A helicopter is currently undertaking a shoreline search between Gisborne and the Mahia Peninsula. Other aviation search assets will join the search this morning as conditions allow.
Heavy rain, strong winds and large seas are forecast in the area today, making the search challenging.
