As of approximately 2.30pm today, 10 hours after an initial distress call was received, the focus of the Canterbury Police led SAR search for the crew of the F.V. Jubilee entered a recovery phase.
Inspector Craig McKay says the aerial search identified debris thought to be from the F.V. Jubilee and this was verified by one of the vessels involved in the search. "Among the items recovered was an empty life raft confirmed to be from the F.V. Jubilee along with a number of fishing bins and documents. Oil and related fluids were also present in the area but the vessel was not visible from the surface or the air. The aerial and sea search covered an area of approximately 50 square nautical miles."
"The last known point of the F.V. Jubilee was in an area where the depth ranges up to 45m. The Wellington-based NZ Police Dive Squad are en-route to Canterbury to help with an underwater search for the fishing vessel. Earlier reports in the media that three crew were in a life raft have not been verified, however the crew indicated in their distress call that they would be making their way to a life raft."
No details of the crew will be released at this time.
"The data from the today's search will be used to inform the planning for the underwater search which is due to take place in the coming days" explained Inspector McKay.
Canterbury Police are working with and supporting the vessel's owner and the families of the crew who are understandably devastated by this morning's events.
A spokesperson on behalf of the owner and families requests that the media respect their privacy and do not speculate on any aspect of this incident. They do not wish to make any further comment and will not be undertaking any media interviews at this time.
Media Note: If you wish to have this release verbalised on the phone or on-camera please text Canterbury District Communications Manager on 021 942 404 and a time will be allocated to you. Any on-camera interviews will be made outside Christchurch Central Police Station.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police