Maritime New Zealand has detailed a successful high-seas nighttime rescue operation involving the Rescue Coordination Center (RCCNZ), the New Zealand Defence Force, and a commercial tanker. The incident began on July 17 when RCCNZ received a Mayday call from a small private vessel carrying three individuals sailing from New Zealand to Tonga, approximately 350 nautical miles northeast of New Zealand.
The vessel encountered problems, prompting the crew to activate an emergency beacon (EPIRB) and prepare to abandon ship. They donned life jackets and entered a life raft. RCCNZ quickly determined their location and issued a call for assistance to vessels within a 200 nautical mile radius. A nearby tanker responded and began rerouting to assist.
The New Zealand Defence Force dispatched a P-8 reconnaissance aircraft, which located the life raft six hours later. The aircraft coordinated with the tanker to facilitate the rescue, which took place under challenging nighttime conditions. The tanker crew devised a plan to safely transfer the individuals from the life raft to the ship using multiple ladders.
By 11:00 pm, RCCNZ confirmed that all three individuals were successfully rescued. RCCNZ General Manager Justin Allan praised the collaborative efforts that made this complex rescue possible.
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