No word from Kiwi sailors in Indonesia

David Machin, Ben Gavin-Young, and Ryan Irissarri. Photo / Supplied Facebook

Three missing New Zealand men in tsunami-hit Indonesia are yet to make contact with their families.

The mother of one of three says she is getting more worried for their safety as time goes on.

David Machin, Ben Gavin-Young and Ryan Irissarri, all from Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands, have not made contact since October 25.

The three were understood to be sailing a boat, called the Fat Cat, towards the Mentawai Islands when the tsunami struck.

Cheryl Gavin-Young, mother of Ben Gavin-Young, said today he would normally try to contact the family to say he was safe after a natural disaster.

It was "more than likely for Ben to contact, especially with his background in the army", Mrs Gavin-Young.

Most likely was they were having problems with communication equipment on their boat and were heading to port to contact family.

This could take up to three or four weeks, she said.

She took hope from the group's last email, which indicated they were not in the region were the tsunami hit and were returning to the mainland to renew their visas.

The family of one man contacted the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta on October 27, due to their concerns.

In a statement last night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had not received any new information.

"Please note that this yacht typically travels two to three weeks without making contact with anyone because they have limited communications equipment," it said.

"They left on October 25. It is perfectly conceivable that we will not hear from them until some time between 8 November and 15 November."

Ryan Irissarri's mother, Joanie Irissarri, said yesterday she was optimistic he and his friends were safe.

"We're pretty positive, they were more than likely further north than where the tsunami hit," she said.

The embassy was in regular contact with the Indonesian National Search and Rescue office in Padang.

The Indonesian earthquake and tsunami has claimed the lives of at least 431 people.

- NZPA