Search for crew from yacht wrecked off Tonga 7

18 June 2012 - 8.15am

An attempt will be made today to undertake a land-based search of the island of Late, west of the island of Vava'u, Tonga, for two men missing since their yacht was wrecked on Thursday, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.

However, 3m swells around the volcanic island may prevent search teams from landing ashore.

Two full days of aerial and on-water searching have so far failed to locate the two Australian men, both in their sixties, who reported via a satellite phone call to a relative in Victoria, Australia, that they had run aground and their 50ft Bavaria yacht, Navillus, was breaking up.

An emergency locator beacon was activated at the same time, around 10.30pm on Thursday.

The yacht's wreckage was found the next day but extensive on-water searching following drift modelling undertaken by RCCNZ, as well as an aerial search of over 191 square nautical miles by a RNZAF P3 Orion failed to find the men.

Yesterday, a search team made up of locals familiar with the island terrain planned to do a land search of the island to check whether the men had made it ashore. High sea states prevented the search.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator John Dickson said it was important a comprehensive search of the island was done to rule out the possibility the men had made it ashore and were waiting for assistance.

"However, we can't put our search teams in danger. They will only land ashore if the conditions permit – at the moment it's looking too rough but hopefully the sea state will abate later today," Mr Dickson said.

The team would go out late this morning (NZ time) to conduct a search this afternoon, if possible.

The Police in Victoria are coordinating contact with the next of kin.

RCCNZ will not release the names of those involved.

An update will be provided late this afternoon (NZ time). If the men are found before then, RCCNZ will advise media as soon as possible.