EIGHT i-Kiribati reported missing on two fishing boats have been rescued after joint operations between the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Republic of Fiji Navy.
An RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft initially spotted one boat in Fiji waters and passed its location to the Fijian patrol boat RFNS Savenaca which picked up five people.
The aircraft was flying to Fiji to refuel while en route to Kiribati Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre asked them to conduct the additional search.
The P-8A Poseidon and crew resumed the search for the missing small Kiribati boat, with three on board, which they were able to locate.
Acting Air Component Commander Group Captain Brett Clayton said the quick response to the diversion request and successful rescue was a credit to the aircraft crew, the RFNS Savenaca crew and Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre.
The fishers faced engine trouble on Wednesday and Kiribati alerted authorities in Fiji and New Zealand.
