The search continues today for the five missing crew of a fishing vessel that went overboard on Monday about 90 miles west of Navula Passage which is outside of Momi Bay.
Fiji Navy through the Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji is currently coordinating the search where they deployed the RFNS Kikau on Wednesday night and arrived at the scene yesterday morning.
Only two crew members remained on board.
The Fiji Navy was alerted on Wednesday morning after which a local aircraft from Life Flight Fiji was deployed to conduct an aerial search.
Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion aircraft joined the search team yesterday morning.
In a statement, the Fiji Navy says the fishing vessel was located and one of the crew members that fell overboard was also located late yesterday afternoon by the P3 Orion.
It says the aerial and surface search has been further challenged by the deteriorating weather condition and rough seas.
They say their focus is to save lives and ensure that the drifting vessel does not become a navigation hazard.
They have acknowledged the support from New Zealand who promptly provided an aircraft to support this Search and Rescue operation.
