- Three people missing after failing to return from fishing trip.
- Heavy rain and strong winds hamper search efforts.
- Multiple aircraft and vessels deployed in rescue operation.
Amidst heavy rain and strong winds, the search for a missing fishing boat with three occupants off the coast of Gisborne remains ongoing. The boat failed to return as expected from a fishing trip, prompting a coordinated search effort led by Maritime NZ.
Despite challenging weather conditions and large easterly swells, multiple aircraft, including a NZDF P8 Poseidon, and vessels are actively scouring the area between Gisborne and the Mahia Peninsula.
Weather Hampers Search for Missing Fishing Boat off Gisborne Coast
Roger Faber of the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club recounted the sudden turn in weather that led to concern for the missing boat. He noted that while his boat safely returned, they grew worried upon discovering the absence of another vessel, which had not retrieved its trailer as expected. The search operation, initiated after a concerned contact alerted police, focuses on locating the missing boat last seen approximately 20km offshore.
Efforts to locate a fishing boat missing off the coast of Gisborne continue amidst adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds have complicated the search, which began after the boat failed to return from a fishing trip. The vessel, carrying three individuals, was last heard from around 10am the previous day, sparking immediate concern among local fishermen and rescue authorities.
Search operations, led by Maritime NZ, have intensified despite the challenging conditions. A helicopter is currently conducting shoreline searches, with additional aircraft and vessels set to join as weather permits. Overnight, an NZDF P8 Poseidon conducted radar searches over areas including Poverty Bay and the Mahia Peninsula, expanding the scope of the rescue effort.
Roger Faber, president of the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club, described how unexpected weather changes impacted the fishing expedition. While one boat returned safely, concern grew for another vessel that did not return as scheduled. Faber’s account underscores the urgency of the ongoing search operation, as authorities work tirelessly to locate the missing boat and its occupants.
“In times of adversity and uncertainty, hope is what keeps us going.”
