Four fishermen who were rescued on Friday night, 13 March after their boat’s engine failed some 54 nautical miles south of Tongatapu were today thankful to  the RNZAF Orion P-3 aircraft and Tongan Navy for the swift search and rescue operation that saved their lives last week.

The fishermen, skipper Matavai Fonua (54) of Vaotu’u, ‘Alipate Pinekoula (36) of Halaleva, Kaliopasi Masalu (33) of Pahu, ‘Isikeli Finau (37) of Tofoa, left Nuku’alofa on a small boat ‘Ana Manusiu on Monday, 9 March for a one-week fishing trip.

The skipper said all was well during their trip because the sea was calm and they caught some fish.

“We were making our way back to the capital on Thursday night ,12 March, when the boat’s electrical wiring short-circuited causing the engine failure. The only thing left on was the radio transmitter that had a power box,” he said.

Matavai said the first thing that came to his mind at the time was to activate their live beacon for help.

“I have been fishing for over 30-years and I know how important it is to always have your beacon and equipment ready on your boat when out in the ocean, which we did on our boat,” he said.

They also had enough food and water and the sea remained calm as they waited and hoped for the search.

The RNZAF Orion P-3 aircraft was dispatched immediately to carry out the aerial search after the Rescue Coordination Centre got the beacon alert. The boat was located at around 5:20am, approximately 54 nautical miles South of Fua’amotu on Friday morning 13 March.

“We were so happy and thankful to see the aircraft. I was able to talk to the Orion’s crew on our radio transmitter, and told them there were four of us and we were all alive and well but our boat‘s engine broke down.”

He said the Orion crew informed them that their location had been transmitted to the Tongan Navy for a rescue.

“We are very thankful to New Zealand for the immediate response,” said the skipper.

The VOEA Neiafu found the ‘Ana Manusiu at  4:00pm on Friday. The men were rescued and the boat towed back.

“We arrived in Nuku'alofa just before midnight on Friday night. We are just happy and grateful to be alive and to see our families,” he said.

The owner of the boat ‘Aisake Tu’iono also expressed his thanks to New Zealand, the Tongan Navy and Tonga Police for the immediate response that saved the lives of his crew.

This afternoon three of the men were back fixing-up their boat in preparation for their next fishing trip.