The crew of Pacifica Shipping's Moana Chief have received a Certificate of Achievement in the 2023 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards ("NZSAR"). The award recognises their part in the rescue of a dis-masted yacht, Astra, about 65 miles southeast of Napier in March last year. The coastal vessel was on passage from Lyttelton (Christchurch) to Auckland in severe weather conditions with poor visibility and southerly winds of 35-40 knots, gusting up to 46 knots, when a relayed Mayday call was received from Maritime Radio (Napier). Captain Nitin Tyagi immediately diverted to provide assistance to the stricken yacht, alongside fishing vessel Amaltal Apollo and No. 40 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force ("RNZAF") helicopter Hercules.
Captain Graeme Bird (second from right), a senior Master with Swire Shipping and Pacifica, received the NZSAR Certificate of Achievement for Operational Activity on behalf of the crew of MV Moana Chief, alongside representatives of the crew of the Amaltal Apollo and No. 40 Squadron RNZAF.
