The Canterbury Police SAR recovery phase continues with members of the NZ Police Dive Squad joining the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Operational Diving Team (ODT) on board the HMNZS MANAWANUI today.
Sergeant Phil Simmonds says the ODT completed their build-up dives yesterday.
“The diving support vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI left Akaroa for the wreck of the FV Jubilee this morning with 24 crew, nine ODT members and two members of the NZ Police Dive Squad on board.”
“The intention is for members of the ODT to conduct a search inside the wreck, which is located at a depth of around 40m, and recover what is believed to be the body of a man seen during yesterday’s underwater search.”
Due to the remote location of the dive site, an update on today’s search will be made at around 9.30am tomorrow morning.
“Police are in close contact with the next of kin of the missing crew. The focus of the recovery phase is, if possible, to locate and return the missing crew to their loved ones. This is an extremely distressing time for everyone involved and Police and the Royal New Zealand Navy extend their thoughts and prayers to the families, friends and colleagues of the missing crew” explained Sergeant Simmonds.
Some photographs of the ODT preparing for their build-up dives have been included with this update.
Unfortunately due to operational commitments no media interviews will be undertaken today.
The next media update will occur at 9.30am tomorrow at the earliest.
Media note: please use the summar description/captions for the attached photographs as detailed below. All images should be credited to: Credit - New Zealand Defence Force Public Affairs Rod Mackenzie
File Name
Summary Description/Caption
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0005.jpg
The diving Wet Bell is lowered in to the waters of Akaroa Harbour from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI during diving training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0010.jpg
Navy diver ADR Luke Gordon from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) enters the water in Akaroa Harbour from the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, during training preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0018.jpg
Navy diver PODI Leeroy Coleman from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) dons his equipment on board the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, prior to diving in Akaroa Harbour during training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0019.jpg
Navy diver ADR Kyran Bennett from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) enters the water in Akaroa Harbour from the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, during training preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0022.jpg
Navy diver ADR Luke Gordon from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) climbs back on board the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, after diving in Akaroa Harbour during training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0023.jpg
Navy diver ADR Luke Gordon from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) climbs back on board the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, after diving in Akaroa Harbour during training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0031.jpg
A Navy diver from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) gives the 'thumbs up' prior to diving from the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, during training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
20151025_AK_Q1032139_0032.jpg
Members from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Operational Dive Team (ODT) monitor divers in the water from the 'Dive Shack' on board the RNZN Diving Support Vessel (DSV) HMNZS MANAWANUI, during training in preparation for multi-agency search and recovery operation at the site of the sunken Fishing Vessel (FV) JUBILEE.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police
