Orions looked for yacht

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 8

Orions looked for yacht

PA Wellington Air Force Orion aircraft were used late last week to look for the missing yacht Ouvea, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday. The yacht, whose crew are sought by the police in connection with the Rainbow Warrior bombing, might no longer be on the surface, he said. The Auckland police have obtained warrants for the three crew members on charges of murder, arson

and conspiracy to commit arson last Friday. The yacht, believed to be heading to New Caledonia, was last seen at Norfolk Island on July 16. Mr Lange said Orion aircraft had searched last Friday and Saturday. French authorities also made a reconnaissance, he said. Mr Lange said the Orions had not kept the yacht under surveillance after the police had spoken to the crew on Norfolk Island. Asked if it may have been wise to have done so, he said: “I am glad to be in a country where the police do not act on suspicion. At that stage the police had no cause to be exercising some maritime surveillance.”