A JOINT rescue mission between the Fiji Navy search and rescue (SAR) and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Fiji resulted in the rescue of two sailors aboard a stricken yacht approximately 273 nautical miles southwest of Viti Levu.
Fiji Navy confirmed that three personnel were onboard when the vessel encountered difficulties and one person died because of the incident.
One of the sailors was retrieved by cruise liner MV Explorer, while crew of the RFNS Savenaca were able to successfully board the yacht to retrieve the remaining sailor and the body of the deceased. According to a statement from Republic of Fiji Navy (RFN), RCC Fiji and the Fiji Navy SAR apparatus was activated on Sunday afternoon upon receiving an alert and advise from RCC New Zealand on a yacht, which was in distress.
The Fiji Navy deployed the RFNS Savenaca from Suva soon after it received the distressed mayday call and reached the location of the yacht.
“In co-ordination 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,” the statement read.
Fiji Navy said a pleasure craft (MV Beast), which was on its way to New Zealand, also diverted from its set course and proceeded to the location after receiving the mayday call.
The three ships on site, MV Explorer, RFNS Savenaca and MV Beast, co-ordinated on the best way to safely conduct the retrieval operation, as strong winds and heavy swells hampered rescue efforts greatly.
“The MV Pacific Explorer has now proceeded to Denarau with the third sailor while MV Beast has continued on its journey to New Zealand.”
