Yacht in distress, Saturday/Sunday/Monday.
Northland Coastguard Air Patrol were airborne on a routine training exercise on Sunday morning, 18th March, when they were asked to fly to a position South East of Tutakaka. A yacht with two elderly persons on board, one man aged 77 and his 70 year old wife had sent out a Mayday distress call asking to be taken off their stricken vessel as they were exhausted after spending the night at sea with system failures on board, principally loss of steering and some power to navigation equipment.
They had transmitted a position around 4 hours earlier, some 12 nm. S.E. of Tutakaka, but no further communication had been received, and Coastguard Northern Region requested that we positively identify the vessel and give an updated position to assist a rescue helicopter, the weather and sea state being deemed to dangerous for any Coastguard vessel to assist at that time.
NorthCAP flew to the given position but could see no vessel although they did establish communication on the Ch 16 distress frequency, so started an expanding square search to visually locate the vessel. Eventually a helicopter also located the vessel some considerable distance from the original position, and NorthCAP commenced a return to base, but then the helicopter had to return to Whangarei to refuel, and asked NorthCAP to return to the scene until it could return.
NorthCAP circled the vessel for nearly two hours, until the helicopter returned and that crew then decided that the conditions were too dangerous to try to attempt a rescue.
It was ascertained that the vessel was making way towards the Poor Nights Islands, and it was suggested that the crew on board attempt to make a landfall to the lee of the islands and possibly anchor until morning when it was hoped that they could be rescued.
The 4 NorthCAP aircrew were airborne that afternoon for nearly 4 hours in appalling weather.
A report next day in the local Press indicates that the vessel foundered overnight but that the occupants were able to get ashore and wait on a nearby rock until they were lifted off by the helicopter crew at around 05.30 on Monday morning, and that the vessel is damaged beyond reasonable repair.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
-
72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
-
16.1% Hmm, maybe?
-
11% Yes!
Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots
Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Loading…
