The six people who had gone missing after departing Namuka Island for Fulaga on Thursday morning have all been found.
The Fiji Navy and partner agencies and international partner namely New Zealand Defence Forces through the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji (RCCFJ), successfully coordinated and carried out the rescue.
They say following search efforts by vessels operating in the area, two aircraft were deployed: a chartered Northern Air Embraer EMB-110 operating as a Navy SAR flight, and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8 Poseidon.
The NZDF P-8 completed a detailed radar search of the area before switching to visual search, and successfully located the distressed vessel at 5:30 pm, just before last light, southwest of Vanuavatu. The vessel was found within the designated search area.
The Navy says following the NZ AF P-8 sighting, RFNS Savenaca, operating near the search area, was immediately diverted towards the contact and conducted a safe rescue in testing and adverse weather conditions shortly after 8 last night.
They say all six survivors are safe and have arrived in Suva for medical assessment before being reunited with their families and loved ones.
The Fiji Navy extends its sincere thanks to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful outcome of this search and rescue operation, particularly the Royal New Zealand Air Force and RCC New Zealand, Northern Air, Fiji Police Forces PCCC, MSAF, Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, local communities in Fulaga and Namuka, mariners who called in, and vessels of opportunity that maintained a vigilant lookout.
They add that the coordinated response once again highlights the importance of strong regional partnerships and inter-agency cooperation in saving lives.
