Police have called off the search for a boat that sent a distress signal in the Cook Strait on Monday night, with no trace of the vessel or its two occupants found.
Last updated: 2025/08/26 04:12:49
What Happened?
A distress call was received at approximately 10:00 PM on Monday, reporting a small boat taking on water approximately 3 nautical miles from Karori Rock in the Cook Strait. The boat reportedly had two people on board.
Wellington District Search and rescue Coordinator Sergeant Jonathan Westrupp stated that communication was lost after several attempts to re-establish contact. A search operation was immediately launched, involving multiple vessels.
Search Efforts and Findings
Despite extensive searches of the Cook Strait, shoreline, and local boat ramps, no debris or objects of interest related to the missing boat have been discovered. The search has been suspended.
Brightcove video related to the search.
background: The Cook Strait
The Cook Strait is a body of water separating the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It is a meaningful shipping route and a popular area for recreational boating, but it can be treacherous due to its complex currents and frequently changing weather patterns.
According to Land Data New Zealand (LINZ), the Cook Strait experiences some of the strongest tidal flows in New Zealand, reaching speeds of up to 8 knots.
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