The Canterbury Police SAR led recovery phase is set to continue today with the deployment of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s diving support vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI and members from the NZ Police Dive Squad and the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Operational Diving Team (ODT).
Sergeant Phil Simmonds says the weather is clearing after yesterday’s inclement weather and the ODT hope to resume the search of the FV Jubilee today. “The diving support vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI left Akaroa this morning with 24 crew, nine ODT members, one member of the NZ Police Dive Squad and a representative from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) on board.”
“The safety of those involved in the recovery phase is paramount and the intention is for members of the ODT to continue searching inside the wreck today. As the wreck of the FV Jubilee is located at a depth of 40m, the ODT can only complete a fixed number of dives each day.”
“The process to formally identify the two men recovered from the wreck on Monday is still ongoing. Police will not speculate on how long this process will take or their identities but believe they are two of the three crewmen understood to have been on board at the time FV Jubilee sank.”
The deaths have been referred to the Coroner.
Police are in close contact with the next of kin of the missing crew and the owner of the FV Jubilee who are understandably very upset.
Due to the remote location of the dive site, an update of today’s search is not likely to occur until tomorrow morning at the earliest.
Media note: Due to operational commitments Sergeant Simmonds is not available for any interviews today. An audio file of Sergeant Simmonds verbalising the release is available by texting the Canterbury District Communications Manager on 021 942 404.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police