Schooner Nina - MERGED 3 THREADS

[rfnk]

I don't think the Spot coverage was the problem in our case. It's not my Spot either. The Spot that my friend bought is one that's supposed to work in conjunction with a mobile phone. We found it impossible, or at least very difficult, to do this in NZ so we gave up. It may have been the phone coverage or status - we don't know. Back home, my friend has still been unable to get it all working so he's given up again. Whatever the problem actually is, without meaning any disrepect to Spot or its maker, I'm simply pointing out that the fact that Nina's spot isn't working doesn't mean there's a problem with Nina. It's much more likely that the Spot isn't working through user error, a technical issue or something like that.

I checked Newcastle Harbour this afternoon - no sign of Nina yet. I'm looking forward to seeing her - looks like a lovely boat.

Rick

[Friend of Nina]

The NZ air and rescue have started search patterns for the Schooner Nina in the Orion. They already in to it flying 160,000 square miles north of NZ. So far no emergency signal. Looks like their batteries quit which means no electrics or starting the engine. Basic sailing now. I have to remember hope is our lifeline. Cherie

[Blue Stocking]

Cherie, have no fear. Nina will get them home. She's done it many times up here in the top half of the world.

[Friend of Nina]

Thanks, we all lose faith at times and have to remember that! Cherie

[MarkJ]

Its been 29 days now and my overdue date for my boat and style of sailing would have been 2 days ago.
Its fair enough for the NZ Orion to be up having a look.
For the families don't get too worried yet but it would be nice to see some positive news very soon.

[Friend of Nina]

As Blue Stocking said....she's always come back to port!! Cc

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Friend of Nina

Thanks, we all lose faith at times and have to remember that! Cherie

IIRC the revised ETA mentioned (in this thread) was 26 June, but that seemed to be a guesstimate (albeit an informed one rather than a WAG!). With a fair wind she will arrive over the horizon by early next week, if not sooner .

Whilst only a weekly update (and therefore not live or recent), I see that Nina got a mention on the NZ SAR website:

RCCNZ weekly incident summary - Maritime NZ

"Friday 14 June

Enquiries were made following receipt of an email expressing concern for the classic 1928 staysail schooner Nina with a crew of seven travelling from Opua to Newcastle, Australia that may have be overdue. Extensive enquiries were made and it was thought that bad weather and the yacht's position on 4 June that had delayed her arrival time for Newcastle."

[boatman61]

From what I've gathered they're an experienced up-together lot... if there was anything serious an EPIRB would have kicked off...
Likely been slowed by heavy going... you don't bang old wooden boats around like plastic fantastic...
They're Ladies one escorts safely to the Ball...

[Twiggy]

Subject: RCC0401/13 SAR SITREP 2

TRANSMISSION: URGENCY


DATE AND TIME (UTC) 251900 UTC JUN 2013



FROM: RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE NEW ZEALAND



TO: HEADQUARTERS JOINT FORCES NEW ZEALAND, RCCNZ DUTY MANAGER, MNZ MEDIA



INFO: AUMCC, FRIENDS AND FAMILY CONTACTS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAR SITREP (NUMBER): TWO



(A) IDENTITY OF VESSEL: SV NINA



(B) POSITION: LAST KNOWN POSITION 33 53 S 165 18 E AT 032330 UTC JUN 13



(C) SITUATION: SV NINA WITH 7 POB DEPARTED OPUA NEW ZEALAND 29 MAY 2013 BOUND FOR NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA. LAST CONTACT WITH VESSEL WAS 032350 UTC JUN 13. AT THAT TIME THEY WERE IN CENTRE OF LOW AND WERE ADVISED BY WEATHER FORECASTER TO HEAD SOUTH AND HEAVE TO UNTIL SWELL ABATED.

NO TRANSMISSION FROM SATELLITE PHONE OR SPOT DEVICE ON BOARD SINCE CONTACT ABOVE. SKIPPER DAVID DYCHE BELIEVED TO HAVE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AT NEWCASTLE 08 JUNE BUT UNREALISTIC GIVEN POSITION ON 04 JUNE SHOWS 250 NM PROGRESS SINCE DEPARTURE FROM OPUA. SV NINA IS A CLASSIC RACING SCHOONER BUT HAS REPORTED POOR PERFORMANCE HEAD TO WIND. CUMMINGS 150 HP ENGINE INSTALLED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.



(D) NUMBER OF PERSONS: SEVEN



(E) ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: RCC AUSTRALIA REQUESTED TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS THROUGH CUSTOMS AND OTHER MEANS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.


(F) CO-ORDINATING RCC: RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE NEW ZEALAND



(G) DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL: 59-FT SCHOONER (70-FT INCLUDING BOWSPRIT) CONSTRUCTED IN 1928 OF WOOD AND USA-REGISTERED. WHITE TOPSIDES, GREEN HULL AND TAN MASTS. SHE HAS ONE 8-PERSON LIFE RAFT, PARACHUTE FLARES, VHF RADIO AND EPIRB.



(J) INITIAL ACTIONS TAKEN: COMMUNICATION SEARCH COMMENCED 14 JUNE AND CONTINUING. AERIAL SEARCH CONDUCTED 25 JUNE BY RNZAF P3 ORION. SEARCH AREA BASED ON POSSIBILITY THAT WEATHER AND SEA CONDITIONS CAUSED SV NINA TO BECOME DISABLED AND ADRIFT AT LAST KNOWN POSITION. 96 PERCENT OF 168 000 SQUARE NM SEARCH AREA COMPLETED. MANY YACHTS LOCATED BUT SV NINA NOT LOCATED. NO VESSELS REPORTED ANY SIGHTINGS OF SV NINA.


(K) SEARCH AREA: AERIAL SEARCH PLANNED FOR 26 JUNE BY RNZAF P3 ORION BASED ON VESSEL CONTINUING FROM LAST KNOWN POSITION TOWARD INTENDED DESTINATION. SEARCH AREA COVERS 320 000 SQUARE NM IN THE TASMAN SEA BETWEEN NORTHERN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN COAST.





Chris Wilson | Senior Search and Rescue Officer
Maritime New Zealand| Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ)
Nō te rere moana Aotearoa

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Is this the famous, and beautiful schooner Nina', sailed in many Newport-Bermuda races by DeCoursey Fales, and from which his ashes were spread on the race rhumbline. If so, I was aboard her here in bermuda about 30 years ago.

Hope they are doing well.

That was Niña. Must be another boat.

b.

[Friend of Nina]

Update.RCC is now conducting search out 120 miles either side of intended route of Newcastle and calling VHF channel 16. The airplane will be close to 50 miles of Australian coast.

More info on Nina can be found at this website.
http://classicsailboats.org/?p=3111

Cherie

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

That was Niña. Must be another boat.

b.

Barnakiel looks to be one in the same. I suspect the OP just hasn't added the diacritical tilde. Many don't know how on a keyboard. It does appear to be Niña if you look at the link Cherie posted.

Hoping for good news from the crew of Niña soon.
SC

[rfnk]

I contacted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority today to see what news there is of Nina. They said NZ are coordinating a search for Nina between Opua and Newcastle. This means Australia assists if called upon by NZ but this has not been called for. AMSA did confirm that Nina has not arrived in Australia. For specific details, the NZ maritime authority would need to be contacted. I can tell you that we have strong SE winds here at present so if she's getting close, it shouldn't be too long to wait now.

Rick

[charliehows]

been a nasty east coast low over the last few days, not very good conditions, easing away to the east/se i think, should be better conditions from today

[David_Old_Jersey]

am not familiar with the area (or hemisphere!), but would the weather, esp. the direction (now and previously), have made progress slow(er) than could otherwise have been?