Report Of Flares Off Kaikoura

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 16

Report Of Flares Off Kaikoura

A Japanese fishing vessel is thought to have fired'flares reported by tw o R.N.Z.A.F. Devon aircraft about 30 miles east of Kaikoura on Monday evening.

Two red flares were reported to the Search and Rescue Organisation, which investigated the whereabouts of local fishing boats and other vessels. All were accounted for.

Captain G. M. Hart, of the Marine Department at Lyttelton, asked for an investigation by S.A.R. in Wellington, but no vessels were missing

“It was not established that a Japanese vessel was in the area,” said Captain Hart,

“but we know that as soon as they hear a bit of aircraft activity they decide that it is no place for them. They douse their lights and go for their lives."

Captain Hart said the lights could have been the deck lights of a Japanese ship, or possibly the lights of the minesweeper I.M.N.Z.S. Kaiama. However, the minesweeper was only six miles off shore.

Mr E. G. Brooke, regional

coordinator of the S.A.R., said it was known that Japanese mother ships used flares to recall their fishing dories.

“I don’t believe they use red flares, which are the international distress signal,” he said, “but if they are using orange flares they could appear to Jbe red to some people." The flare sightings were made at 9.31 p.m. The Devon aircraft were on night flying.