Schooner Nina - MERGED 3 THREADS

[Friend of Nina]

Thank you all. Trying to find out last satcom phone call. Tho spoke with Embassy in NZ and said last week they dealt with a storm not seen since 50 years. Cherie

[Friend of Nina]

I think you are right. Hope.

[opusnz]

Here are the latest stories from the NZ papers. It is not unusual to sail to Aus in June but it turns out there has been some really bad weather. The Tasman Sea is never easy. If you leave too early in the year you can get cyclones coming down from the tropics. If you leave too late you can get the winter storms.

I am sure Nina in all her travels has been in a lot of wild weather before. She looked very well maintained and she is built to take it. It should be good sailing near Aus right now with SE winds so hopefully she will arrive soon with a good story to tell....


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10893482

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/bad-weather-hampers-search-seven-missing-sea-5479228

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/grave-concerns-seven-missing-schooner-5478763

[opusnz]

Latest update from RCC NZ.

28 June 2013: 11.00am
The search for the crew of the historic American 21m (70ft) schooner Nina missing en route from Opua in the Bay of Islands to Newcastle, Australia will shift to the shoreline of Northland and offshore islands this morning.
There are seven people on board the schooner, six Americans (three men aged 17, 28 and 58, and three women aged 18, 60 and 73) and a British man aged 35.
To date the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has coordinated two extensive sea-based searches based on different scenarios, covering a combined area of 500,000 square nautical miles. This morning, a shoreline search is being undertaken, based on a third scenario."We have tasked a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft to search the shoreline and coast starting at Tauroa Point, searching along 90 mile beach, north of Northland, and out to and around Three Kings Islands. While we have grave concerns for the crew on board Nina, we have not given up hope of finding survivors," said Mission Controller Neville Blakemore.
The Hamilton-based Phillips Search and Rescue Trust fixed-wing aeroplane Piper Chieftan with the pilot and three observers on board will conduct a search for survivors, the liferaft Nina was carrying, or any wreckage or debris from the schooner. The Piper Chieftan left Hamilton at around 10.00am and arrived at Tauroa Point at around 10.45am. The aeroplane is able to search for approximately seven hours.
Background
The schooner Nina, 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 device 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 an RNZAF P3 Orion had completed two extensive searches.
On 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.
On 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.
To date, no sign of the vessel has been found. 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 when further information becomes available.

For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Tim R

Does anyone know of a good weather map archive source for those waters? Something that shows the winds/seas they would have from June 4th till now? I found some good sources for US weather but nothing down there.

Easy: Australia's official weather forecasts & weather radar - Bureau of Meteorology they have archived MSL charts on line.

Cheers,

Jim

[barnakiel]

Then why was that post on another thread saying she was heard from around Lord Howe???

Man. I am puzzled.

b.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Then why was that post on another thread saying she was heard from around Lord Howe???

Man. I am puzzled.

b.

Barny, folks get stuff wrong. Same happened in another missing boat thread in the Atlantic.

Its nothing malicious, just things misheard, mis read, mis seen. ask any policeman about an incident with 3 witnesses and each seeing the same thing will have entirely different versions.

130nms north of the rhumb line (GCR) is a long way off if the did go to Lord Howe

[rfnk]

A route by Lord Howe wouldn't actually be far off course at all for a Tasman crossing. It's actually quite common. Many boats go much further north than that to avoid weather systems or to pick up favourable winds. It's quite likely that Nina has either sailed or drifted much further north than Lord Howe, just as it's also possible, although less likely, that she's a long way south of the line.

Rick

[Friend of Nina]

Adding update. I hope those that are so helpful we can return the favor. ABC Diane Sawyer very well done. CNN will be carrying info starting 6am.




Coastal search. Cherie

[rfnk]

That's very good communication you're getting from NZ SAR Cherie! A credit to them. Thanks for posting this.

Rick

[Friend of Nina]

I had to speak with US embassy in NZ and told them that I may not always agree have been very accessible and professional at RCC. Again thanks for all your help, Dave, Tim, Ted. Things wouldn't have gone as well without your inputs! Cherie

[Friend of Nina]

RCC just called. Confirmed with Iridum that last message out was June 3 not June 13. Will be looking for rafts or wreckage. Cherie

[Friend of Nina]

Originally Posted by mbianka

Just picked up on this too. I thought they were heading to port. But, sounds like they are still out there and just having communications problems I hope.

Me too! Cherie

[drsam]

Hi, Cherie. Know people in San Diego are covering you and your family and the beautiful and strong Nina in prayer. Hopefully, good news comes soon, and with a good story to tell, nice scotch in hand.

[HangGliderPilot]

Hi. I made the journey from Opua to Sydney in the 65' wooden Schooner 'Lita' (originally owned by Georrge Dryden) about 10 years ago. We left in late March and were somewhat concerned at that stage about what the weather might do, as it can get pretty nasty after that time of the year in the Tasman. The journey took us ten days. The first eight days were fine sailing, but the final two were dreadful, gale force winds on the nose with huge swells running in a couple of different directions. The last 50nm took over 24 hours, and to make headway we ended up way off course.

Good luck.