The Republic of Fiji Navy says the intention is to continue the search today for five members of a fishing vessel who went overboard on Monday about 90 miles west of Navula passage.
Only two remaining 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.
They deployed the RFNS Kikau on Wednesday night and arrived on the scene yesterday morning.
Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion joined the search team yesterday morning.
In a statement, the Fiji Navy says the fishing vessel was located and one of the crew 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 and 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.
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