A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon has helped rescue eight people from two separate vessels in the Pacific during a search and rescue mission earlier this week.
The aircraft was en route to Kiribati for a search and rescue operation and had planned a stop in Fiji for refuelling when Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre requested assistance to search for a small craft missing in Fijian waters.
The crew successfully located the vessel and relayed its position to the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Savenaca, which rescued the five people on board.
Acting Air Component Commander Group Captain Brett Clayton praised the coordinated effort.
“Thanks to the professionalism and readiness of the personnel involved in the air, on the sea and on land, the sailors on this vessel will make it home to their families,” he said.
Following the rescue, the P-8A Poseidon resumed its mission to search for a missing Kiribati fishing boat carrying three people.
The aircraft later located the vessel, whose crew had encountered engine trouble on Wednesday.
Group Captain Clayton said the swift response by the aircraft crew, RFNS Savenaca and Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre demonstrated the value of regional cooperation in saving lives at sea.
