Search for missing fishermen off Gisborne suspended until Wednesday morning

(file image).
Photo: 123RF

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said it had been a “very stressful and absolutely nerve-wracking” time in the region as the three fishermen now face another night at sea.

The search for the men was postponed until early morning, Maritime New Zealand said.

The delay of the ship was reported on Monday afternoon. There were three people on board.

Two of the missing people were discovered by the bulk carrier. African Tiger However, on Tuesday afternoon, rescue was no longer possible due to adverse weather conditions.

The 180-meter-long African Tiger could not stay on site due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Those on board threw lifebuoys and debris into the water in the area where the two men were sighted.

The New Zealand Defence Force’s P8 Poseidon also dropped a life raft in the same area.

Swells reached heights of up to six metres in the region on Tuesday afternoon and wind gusts reached up to 50 knots.

Efforts were being made by both boat and aircraft to track and rescue the two missing people, Maritime New Zealand said.

However, due to strong winds and strong seas, these attempts were unsuccessful and people remained in the water.

The storm significantly hampered rescue efforts.

“A nice group of men”

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said checkpoint She knew the family of one of the men.

“(They are) a nice bunch of men. Wherever I went today, someone in Gisborne knew someone on that boat.

“We are such a close-knit community and it is heartbreaking.”

As a community, they prayed “for the safe return of our men,” she said.

She did not know whether the men were equipped with a tracking device.