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rfnk · 26-06-2013, 18:47

The skipper is a professional seaman, as I understand it. He's not going to activate an EPIRB unless there's imminent danger to life. Even if they're not underway at all, just drifting or even drifting in the wrong direction, he wouldn't activate the EPIRB. It's safe to assume that Nina would have plenty of water and food aboard so it would be a long time before life would be endangered due to depleted resources. The question of how long NIna will take to arrive in port depends on too many variables to base any sensible estimate on. It depends what damage, equipment failure or losses of gear have occurred. It depends on where they are. It depends on weather wherever they are. If they're close to Australia now then they should arrive soon as we have prevailing onshore winds. But if they're much further out, a long way north or even still near NZ, then the prevailing conditions may not be helping any passage to Newcastle. At this stage, we have no idea where they are but we can safely assume that they're not in immediate danger as the EPIRB system does work very well and, as far as I know, there's been no EPIRB activated.

Of course it's also safe to assume that the crew will contact family etc. as soon as they can so I have no expectation that by checking Newcastle Harbour I'll be able to provide any new information but, I had a look this morning anyway and Nina is not there yet. If I do see or hear anything, of course I'll post it here but I expect it'll be old news by then anyway. For those who are worried, Tasman weather is about to become calmer over the next few days. This might be good news but it'll also mean lighter winds so if the boat is running with a limited rig, it'll slow them down.

Try not to worry, it remains highly likely that all aboard are fine and will remain so.

Rick

barnakiel · 26-06-2013, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailcruiser

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

Yep. I have her b&w picture on the wall of the boat that employs me.

If she took damage, her course may have been altered to sail towards an attainable, rather than closest, harbour. As they did not press the button(s), I assume they are fine - just possibly bruised and slowed down.

Hope she will be in port soon. Beautiful boat and sure with some good crew.

b.

Friend of Nina · 26-06-2013, 20:17

Another update. Says June 4th, rough, winds 80kts gusting to 110kmh, swells to 8m. Wasn't she still ok on June 13 so survived the June 4th storm?? Cherie

Twiggy · 26-06-2013, 20:20

MEDIA RELEASE DATE:27 June 2013TIME: 1.30pm Concerns for missing schooner Concerns are held for the crew of the historic American 21m (70ft) schooner Nina missing en route from Opua in the Bay of Islands to Newcastle, Australia. The vessel, built in 1928, left Opua on 29 May and has not been heard from since 4 June, when the vessel was about 370 nautical miles west-north west of Cape Regina) There are seven people on board, six Americans (three men aged 17, 28 and 58, and three women aged 18, 60 and 73) and a British man aged 35. The vessel is equipped with satellite phone, a spot beacon which allows regular tracking signals to be sent manually, and an emergency beacon. The emergency beacon has not been activated. After concerns were raised by family and friends, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) instigated a communications search on 14 June, using a range of communications methods to broadcast alerts to the vessel and others in the area. No sign of the vessel has been reported by any other vessel in the area since 4 June. RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Kevin Banaghan said a RNZAF P3 Orion had completed two extensive searches. On the 25 June, a search area of 160,000 square nautical miles was covered, to the immediate north-north east of New Zealand, based on the vessel being disabled and drifting. Yesterday (26 June) a search was completed of 324,000 square nautical miles between northern New Zealand and the Australian coast, based on the vessel suffering damage but continuing to make progress towards Australia. “Unfortunately, no sign of the vessel has been found,” Mr Banaghan said. “Our records show that conditions at the last known position for the vessel, on 4 June, were very rough, with winds of 80kmh, gusting to 110kmh, and swells of up to 8m. We do hold grave concerns for the SV NINA and her crew but remain hopeful of a positive outcome.” RCCNZ is liaising with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), and will continue to review search options. ENDS MNZ media line – 04 499 7318 RCCNZ is the national coordinator for all major (Category 2) search and rescue incidents within New Zealand’s search and rescue region – an area covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It responds to significant incidents on land, air and sea, and all distress alerts from emergency beacons. RCCNZ is part of Maritime New Zealand and is government-funded to provide a professional 24/7 search and rescue response service. Maritime New Zealand media phone 04 499 7318 www.maritimenz.govt.nz

opusnz · 26-06-2013, 20:23

This just in from Maritime NZ.....it would appear that the last contact date June 13th previously posted is not correct.

27 June 2013: 2.00pm
Grave concerns are held for the crew of the historic American 21m (70ft) schooner Nina missing en route from Opua in the Bay of Islands to Newcastle, Australia.
The vessel, built in 1928, left Opua on 29 May and has not been heard from since 4 June, when the vessel was about 370 nautical miles west-north-west of Cape Reinga).
There are seven people on board, six Americans (three men aged 17, 28 and 58, and three women aged 18, 60 and 73) and a British man aged 35.
The vessel is equipped with satellite phone, a spot beacon which allows regular tracking signals to be sent manually, and an emergency beacon. The emergency beacon has not been activated.
After concerns were raised by family and friends, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) instigated a communications search on 14 June, using a range of communications methods to broadcast alerts to the vessel and others in the area.
No sign of the vessel has been reported by any other vessel in the area since 4 June.
RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Kevin Banaghan said a RNZAF P3 Orion had completed two extensive searches.
On the 25 June, a search area of 160,000 square nautical miles was covered, to the immediate north-north-east of New Zealand, based on the vessel being disabled and drifting.
Yesterday (26 June) a search was completed of 324,000 square nautical miles between northern New Zealand and the Australian coast, based on the vessel suffering damage but continuing to make progress towards Australia.
"Unfortunately, no sign of the vessel has been found," Mr Banaghan said. "Our records show that conditions at the last known position for the vessel, on 4 June, were very rough, with winds of 80kmh, gusting to 110kmh, and swells of up to 8m. We do hold grave concerns for the Nina and her crew but remain hopeful of a positive outcome."
RCCNZ is liaising with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), and will continue to review search options.
Note to media: An update will be issued if further information becomes available.

Friend of Nina · 26-06-2013, 20:51

Appears not seen but heard from Nina June 13. Late here. Thank you all that have given bits and pieces. Has helped tremendously! Cherie

**s/v Jedi** · 27-06-2013, 02:19

Nina and her crew are good friends of us and our thoughts are with them. Hope they will turn up soon.

Here is a picture of Nina and Jedi together and a close up:

opua hunter · 27-06-2013, 02:29

good new tony

David_Old_Jersey · 27-06-2013, 02:47

She's a substantial (and good looking!) boat, and whilst of course no boat is immune to problems unlikely that she would have been subject to a sudden catastrophic failure (like the keel dropping off and her going turtle!) that would have prevented the EPIRB being pressed.

Even a whale strike probably would not have been an instant glug, the only other thing I can think of would be a collision with a ship, but as long as no Carnival Cruises ships in the area the odds on that happening would be remote.

My gut says power failure the likely problem (loss of communications and loss of engine power) and that simply a PITA rather than any cause for concern.

The thought occurs to me, that if a loss of power has also impacted on their navigation systems maybe they have diverted to another (further away?) port that is easier to navigate into by pencil (especially if starting from a less than certain position)......but no idea of the area and if that would be a sensible / possible option.