One dead, one missing off 20 metre yacht in gale force winds

by Sail-World.com NZL on 13 Jun 2016 Maritime NZ has reported that a search is underway for a sailor lost overboard from a yacht 550km (300 nautical miles) north of New Zealand.

The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ was advised at 11.20am today (Monday, 13 June) that one male had been killed and another man, in his 60s, knocked overboard from the 20m yacht, Platino, which had suffered serious rigging damage in winds of up to 75km/h (40knots).

Three other people are on board the yacht, which is in contact via satellite phone.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue mission coordinator Keith Allen said an RNZAF P3 Orion that was already operating in the area was on the scene within 90 minutes of the incident, and a commercial fishing vessel is heading to the area.

A second RNZAF Orion has since replaced the first aircraft and will continue searching until nightfall. If required, searching will continue at first light tomorrow. The search area is out of range of all but fixed wing aircraft.

“Sea conditions are extremely dangerous and the remaining crew on board the Platino have advised that it is too hazardous to be on deck. With limited ability to manoeuvre safely, the yacht is motoring to New Zealand, but this could take at least two days. The fishing boat is expecting to be at the scene by around 7pm but it will not be possible to search in darkness.”

Acting Air Component Commander Group Captain (GPCAPT) Tim Walshe said the Orion was diverted to locate the stricken yacht Platino after it put out a distress call this morning. The aircraft had been conducting patrols in support of the Ministry for Primary Industries off the northern coast of New Zealand.

Aircrew from the RNZAF’s five Squadron said four of Platino’s five-member crew were on board when they found the boat around 12:30pm. The search for the man overboard is still ongoing.

“Strong winds and heavy swells had hit the yacht and smashed its boom. Fortunately, our Orion was already in the area so that greatly reduced the response time. The crew also found the yacht as soon as they reached the search area,” GPCAPT Walshe said.

Aircrew have contacted three vessels in the vicinity with a request to assist in the search for the missing man and support Platino's four crewmembers. A second Orion is now on station conducting further searches for the missing man.

In a statement issued by the Royal Akarana YC, organisers of the recent ANZ Sail Fiji race the club advised that Platino who was entered in the cruising rally, but did not start.

'For ANZ Sail Fiji the safety of our sailors is our number one priority, and that is why we strive to ensure that all boats meet the best practice standards of training and equipment. Behind the scenes we make sure we have the best processes in place including the Yellow Brick Tracker and 24 hour support to the fleet. It is this very type of scenario that Platino is in that we dread, we fear, and we do our very best to guard against,'said RAYC Vice Commodore, Sally Garrett in a written statement.

The statement noted that the race and cruising fleet are both monitored via race trackers and regular radio skeds.