The families of three Kerikeri men who have not been heard from since a tsunami struck off Sumatra are holding firm to the thought the yachties are safe.
It was not unusual for weeks to pass before Ben Gavin-Young, David Machin and Ryan Irissarri, all in their 20s, made contact with
home during their sailing and surfing adventure.
Cheryl Gavin-Young said when she last heard from her son they were some distance from the Mentawai Islands, the site of the worst devastation from the tsunami that followed a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on October 25.
The men said they were heading north - away from where the tsunami would hit only hours later - and it might be several weeks before they could make contact again.
"We're trying to keep our heads together and stay positive," Ms Gavin-Young said yesterday after another day had passed with no word.
The family had taken comfort from the fact leading aid agency SurfAid International were not listing the trio as missing, she said. The three friends are on a year-long surfing and sailing adventure which they had planned since their teens.
The death toll from the tsunami is more than 400.
