Five people, including a child, have been rescued after the boat they were travelling on between Korolevu and Vatulele became overdue.
The Republic of Fiji Navy says the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji was activated last night after reports were received that the boat failed to arrive at the expected time.
RFNS Savenaca was deployed in the early hours of this morning. With assistance from a New Zealand Defence Force P-8 aircraft and two domestic aircraft carrying Navy search and rescue personnel, the boat was successfully located in rough seas.
The Navy says all five people were rescued safely and RFNS Savenaca is now working to return them to land.The New Zealand Defence Force P-8 aircraft was also on its way to assist with another search and rescue operation involving an overdue boat in Kiribati, which is being coordinated by JRCC Fiji.
The Navy says the successful rescue highlights the strong coordination between JRCC Fiji, JRCC New Zealand, the Republic of Fiji Navy and all search and rescue teams involved.The Republic of Fiji Navy has thanked everyone involved in the operation and is urging all mariners, especially small boat operators, to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather conditions.
