Grave fears for missing US schooner

GRAVE fears are held for seven people aboard an 85-year-old American schooner missing between New Zealand and Australia.

The 21-metre schooner Nina left Opua, in the Bay of Islands, on May 29, bound for Newcastle, NSW, but it hasn't been heard from for more than three weeks.

Aboard the boat, which was built in 1928, were six Americans, aged between 17 and 73, and a 35-year-old British man.

After concerns were raised by family and friends, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) began a communications search on June 14.

However, no other vessels in the area have sighted the schooner.

The Nina has a satellite phone, a tracking beacon and an emergency beacon, which has not been activated.

RCCNZ search and rescue mission co-ordinator Kevin Banaghan says two extensive searches by an RNZAF Orion have revealed nothing.

Searches have also begun to the north and northeast of New Zealand, in case the boat was disabled and drifting, and in a 324,000 nautical-mile area between northern New Zealand and the Australian coast, based on it being damaged and continuing to progress towards Australia.

"We do hold grave concerns for the Nina and her crew, but remain hopeful of a positive outcome," Mr Banaghan said.

Winds and swells were very rough on June 4, when it was last located.

The Northern Advocate has previously reported the boat's captain to be American David Dyche III.

Since leaving their Florida home in 2008, Mr Dyche and his family have travelled the world aboard the boat.

The Nina has taken part in the annual Tall Ships race in the Bay of Islands for the past two years.

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