Decision to call off yachtie search defended

The Tafadzwa was found by the crew of an Air Force Orion on a training flight but there was no sign of owner Paul Janse van Rensburg. Photo / NZ Defence Force

Maritime New Zealand has defended its decision to call off the search for missing yachtie Paul Van Rensburg after three days.

Mr Van Rensburg had not been seen since March 12 when he left Tauranga on his yacht, Tafadzwa.

He was due in Gisborne two days later but failed to arrive.

His yacht was finally found by a Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion on a training flight, about 110km west of the Chatham Islands, shortly before 2pm yesterday.

Mr Van Rensburg was not on board.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) mission coordinator Geoff Lunt today told NZPA he rejected any criticism of the search.

"We carried out a very extensive and exhaustive search and based that on the information we had at the time," he said.

Inquiries into the vessel's location had been exhausted, he said.

"That was what happened after three days of searching, it was decided that there was no longer viability to continue searching."

Mr Lunt said RCCNZ's role was "effectively over" and it would not take any further action, including a search of nearby islands, without new information.

"We have no leads to start a search from," he said.

"Indications are that's he's fallen overboard quite some time back, because of the state of the sails, and based on that we have no information at all that we can start a search with."

Mr Lunt said it was not yet clear if Mr Van Rensburg had been wearing a safety harness or what may have caused him to fall overboard.

The yacht was being towed to the Chatham Islands this afternoon where it would undergo a forensic examination.

Mr Van Rensburg's dog Juanita was found on board the yacht and would be cared for by police until arrangements were made with his family.

Mr Lunt said RCCNZ would not send anyone to the Chathams to inspect the yacht but the Maritime New Zealand investigation department has sent local police a list of questions.

- NZPA