RNZAF aids Samoa cyclone rescue

A New Zealand Air Force Orion is expected to begin a search for three fishing vessels hit by the cyclone conditions north of Samoa at midday today (NZ time).

One of the vessels sank yesterday about 150km north of Samoa in what the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand described as "atrocious weather" and there are fears for the safety of the crew.

The six on board, who had reported that they had food, water and lifejackets, abandoned the vessel for a liferaft in 190km/h winds and 15m seas.

RCCNZ mission coordinator Dave Wilson said conditions in the area were starting to ease today.

"They are beginning to abate and that's the reason for the timing of the Orion," he said.

"By the time it gets on the scene, the conditions should be much improved for a search and we will be able to get some surface vessels there to assist as well."

The Orion was due to leave Whenuapai, in west Auckland, at 8am.

Mr Wilson said the three vessels were part of a commercial fleet based in Apia. The fleet's vessels ranged in size from 15m to 25m.

He said the two other vessels for which there were concerns did not radio through their positions at the scheduled time yesterday and had not been heard from since. Both also had six crew on board.

Mr Wilson said several emergency beacons had been activated in the area.

"Some of these could be associated with the vessels we know to be in distress, or they could be from other vessels," he said.

"The only way to find out for sure is to have the Orion fly overhead."

He said there were five boats in Apia and Pago Pago ports and four others at sea which could help with the search.

Samoa and American Samoa have declared a state of emergency as villagers braced for Cyclone Olaf and winds gusting over 220km/h.
A second, less powerful storm, Cyclone Nancy, had last night passed the Cook Islands, uprooting trees and damaging roofs.

- NZPA