Home / New ZealandThree rescued from life-raft after vessel fails en route to TongaRNZ18 Jul, 2025 03:28 AMQuick ReadSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditA life raft alongside a merchant vessel. Photo / NZDF via RNZA life raft alongside a merchant vessel. Photo / NZDF via RNZBy Kajal Nair of RNZThree people are safe after being rescued from a life-raft in the ocean following mechanical failure on their vessel. Their launch was heading from New Zealand to Tonga when it ran into trouble on Thursday afternoon, around 350 nautical miles northeast of New Zealand. A mayday was issued, and the crew activated an emergency beacon before abandoning ship for a life-raft.The distress signal was picked up by a nearby merchant tanker, the only vessel in range.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.A mayday was issued, and a nearby merchant tanker responded, with NZDF assistance. Photo / NZDF via RNZFollowing this, a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) F8 aircraft was deployed to assist.“Getting on-board a large vessel on the open ocean from a life raft is not an easy task,” Taylor Monaghan, search and rescue officer at the Rescue Coordination Centre, said.“This was done at night, in trying conditions as well.”AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.At about 11pm, the trio were safely brought aboard the tanker.Maritime New Zealand praised the coordinated effort and quick action of both the tanker crew and the NZDF.-RNZSaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from New ZealandNew ZealandFirefighters battle large blaze at commercial building in AucklandNew ZealandECE reliever described child exploitation material as 'grossly beautiful'New Zealand'He's been made to look like a monster': Grieving Mongrel Mobster mum's heartacheSponsoredSolar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night skyAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
