The Fiji Navy, a cruise ship on the way to Fiji and a yacht on route to New Zealand all responded to a mayday call from a vessel that was in distress south of the Fijian island of Viti Levu.

Published 1 year ago

Two sailors were rescued from the yacht in rough conditions, but sadly a third sailor was deceased according to a report from the Republic of Fiji Navy.

A post on the Fiji Navy’s social media page stated that “RCC Fiji and the Fiji Navy SAR apparatus were activated yesterday (May 24) upon receiving an EPIRB alert and advise from RCC New Zealand on a yacht which was in distress 273nm SW of Vitilevu.

“In coordination with RCC NZ, a cruise liner (MV Pacific Explorer), which was the nearest vessel to the last known position of the yacht was able to divert from its course and proceeded to the location of distress. MV Pacific Explorer was able to retrieve one of the sailors from the stricken yacht on arrival earlier this morning.

The RFNS Savenaca (Fiji’s GCPB) deployed from Suva and reached the location of both the yacht and the Cruise liner.

A pleasure craft (MV Beast) which was on its way to New Zealand also diverted from it course and proceeded to the location after hearing the Mayday call.

The three ships (MV Pacific Explorer,RFNS Savenaca and MV Beast) on site coordinated on the best way to safely conduct the retrieval operation noting the strong winds and heavy swells currently being encountered.”

Radio New Zealand reported that one person was deceased after three Kiwis on the yacht near Fiji issued a mayday call.

The RNZ report said the trio were injured after being hit by a broken mast, issuing a distress call near Nadi around 9pm on September 24.

Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) confirmed the death and said the three people who were on board “encountered difficulty”.

According to RCCNZ, one survivor was picked up by the Fijian Navy vessel Savenca, while the other was transferred to the cruise ship, Pacific Explorer for medical treatment.

“Both the survivors are being taken to Fiji, as is the body of the deceased,” Maritime New Zealand said in a statement.

“This was a challenging search and rescue operation in tough conditions.”

In a later post the Fijian Navy said that due to the weather and conditions, it would have been difficult to tow the yacht so it was “scuttled on scene so as to not cause any danger to navigation”.

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Related News:

• One dead after Kiwis on yacht near Fiji issue Mayday call (Radio New Zealand)
• One Person is Dead as Cruise Ship Sailed to Rescue Mayday Call (Stuff NZ)

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Related Links:

• Republic of Fiji Navy Facebook page
• Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre

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