Two people have been spotted alive in the water off Gisborne, but searchers have since lost sight of them.
The sighting occurred after a fishing boat with three people on board was reported overdue, prompting a search operation yesterday afternoon.
Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) reported that the container vessel African Tiger spotted the two individuals while en route to Whangārei. Despite the immediate efforts to rescue them, the individuals have not been relocated. Maritime New Zealand’s operations manager, Michael Clulow told medie the individuals have been in the water for an extended period, facing cold and fatigue.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has deployed a life raft in the area where the men were last seen, but severe weather conditions, including six-metre swells and 50-knot winds, are hampering rescue efforts. RCCNZ is coordinating with various agencies, including the Coastguard, rescue helicopter operators, and other vessels, to locate and rescue the men.
The container ship African Tiger threw life rings and flotsam into the water but was unable to rescue the men due to the treacherous conditions.`
