9 Aug 2018

NZ Orion joins search for missing Tuvalu fisherman

12:13 pm on 9 August 2018

A New Zealand Defence Force Orion has joined the search for a missing fisherman off the coast of Tuvalu.

Air to Air of an RNZAF Orion P-3K2 during RIMPAC

Photo: Supplied

The man failed to return from a fishing trip on Monday evening - he'd gone fishing for the day near Nukufetau, an atoll about 96 kilometres north of the capital, Funafuti.

Seven local boats have been searching for the man since Tuesday.

Fiji's Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre asked for Defence assistance late yesterday.

Defence said the Orion was expected to reach the search area about midday.