Overview
- The chief engineer from O Morrazo was last seen onboard in the early hours of December 27, prompting the skipper to issue a Mayday and retrace the vessel’s route.
- New Zealand’s maritime search and rescue has joined the operation and has deployed at least one helicopter, according to local reports.
- The Spanish-flag, 43.5-meter longliner departed Suva, Fiji, on December 24 to fish in Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission waters.
- Records list Casilmar Gestión as the owner-operator, and industry groups say the sailor’s family has been notified.
- Sources involved describe a difficult search over a vast, island-studded area, and no recovery has been reported.