Six missing in boat amid rough seas in Fiji rescued by RNZAF
A Royal New Zealand Air Force crew successfully rescued six people missing in a small boat off the coast of Fiji. The search operation faced difficult conditions, including strong winds and high swells, before the vessel was located and handed over to the Fiji Navy.
Why it matters
This highlights the critical role of international cooperation and military assets in maritime search and rescue operations.
<p>Six people in a small boat missing amid rough seas in Fiji have been rescued by a Royal NZ Air Force crew.</p> <p>The group had left Namuka Island for Fulaga in the Lau Group in a small boat on Thursday morning but failed to reach their destination, the NZ Defence Force said.</p> <p>The RNZAF P-8A Poseidon crew were about to carry out a fishery patrol in the island nation when the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji requested help searching for the vessel.</p> <p>An initial search was carried out by local vessels before a chartered local aircraft and the RNZAF joined efforts on Friday.</p> <p>"The weather was challenging with strong winds and 3.5m swells creating salt spray…
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