NSW: No sign of the missing NZ yacht near Norfolk Island

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2000
NSW: No sign of the missing NZ yacht near Norfolk Island

A Royal Australian Air Force plane is taking part in an international search for a
20-metre New Zealand yacht missing off Norfolk Island.

Just after midnight the RAAF C130 Hercules left Richmond air base in New South Wales
to help a French aircraft search for the Longfellow which issued a mayday early yesterday.

The Hercules' six-man crew is now taking a break on Norfolk Island while a Royal New
Zealand Air Force Orion takes over.

A spokesman for the RAAF's Headquarters Air Command says the water is very choppy,
making it extremely difficult to see a white-coloured boat.

The air search area, coordinated by the French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
in Noumea, is 250 nautical miles south of New Caledonia and 150 nautical miles north of
Norfolk Island.

AAP RTV alt/jmt

KEYWORD: PACIFIC BOAT (SYDNEY)

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