Sunday, 26 September 2010 - 1:36pm |
Central

Flare sighting sparks marine search

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Around 9.30pm last night (Saturday, 25 Spetember) there was a reported red flare sighting off the Taranaki Coast near Manaia. Police were notified.

The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter was sent to search the shoreline in the area for any empty boat trailers. The Phillips Trust Piper Chieftan Fixed wing aircraft from Hamilton was tasked to search approximately 35 miles off shore.

RNZAF 3 Squadron Iroquois was tasked from Ohakea to assist with the search. At approximately 4am the aircraft were stood down after nothing was located.

The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) and the Marine Operations Centre based in Lower Hutt assisted New Plymouth Police in the coordination of the search.