Flare sighting prompts search off Tatapouri

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne's Lion Foundation Coastguard boat and the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter were involved in a sea search on Monday morning after reports of flare sightings offshore of Tatapouri.

Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre asked for assistance following reports of multiple flares seen at about 3am.

The Coastguard craft, driven by Aaron Boyle, began searching at around 3.30am near the Aerial Reef and “Penguins” north of the reef, about eight nautical miles offshore.

The rescue chopper joined the search at first light.

Search conditions were good early on but a southerly of around 40 knots then came through.

The Rescue Coordination Centre said nothing was found by the searchers.

Senior search and rescue officer Julian Tovey said it was important to work out whether the reports of flares were a call for help or something else.

There were no reports of missing or overdue vessels in the area.

The Rescue Coordination Centre called off the search on Monday night.