A ferry with some 50 people aboard has been missing for more than a week off the coast of the Pacific nation of Kiribati, according to rescue authorities.
A New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion aircraft has been dispatched to aid Fijian rescue services in their search for the vessel, the Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand said.
Fiji is leading the search, taking place in an area of ocean the size of Britain.
Authorities said the MV Butairaoi ferry departed Nonouti Island bound for South Tarawa on 18 January. The journey of 149 miles was expected to take two days.
Senior search and rescue officer John Ashby said the MV Butiraoi, a 17.5m wooden catamaran, was first reported missing to New Zealand authorities late on Friday.
He said the vessel had undergone repairs to its propeller shaft just before leaving, which may have contributed to navigation problems.
Mr Ashby added that people on islands and vessels along the planned route were being contacted to ask if they have seen the vessel.
It has a dark blue hull and yellow accommodation quarters, the New Zealand rescue service said.
“The weather in that part of the Pacific is currently moderate with some swells”, Mr Ashby said.
Kiribati is a remote, impoverished nation of 33 atolls that is home to about 108,000 people.
Additional reporting by AP
