Air Force plane finds fisherman missing for a week in 4m dinghy

The missing Cook Islands fisherman was able to wave to the crew of the P-8A after they found him west of Pukapuka Island

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) crew has found a solo fisherman who had been missing for a week in the northern Cook Islands.

The man, in his 4m aluminium skiff, was spotted by the crew of a P-8A Poseidon this morning and he was able to wave to them. Nearby fishing vessels confirmed they could pick the man up.

Cook Islands Police Commissioner Tai Joseph expressed his support and gratitude for the assistance provided by New Zealand.

The fisherman had failed to return after he set off from Pukapuka Island, about 1140km northwest of Rarotonga, on Thursday last week

He had been reported overdue to local police the following day and New Zealand’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre requested RNZAF help in the search earlier this week.

It was believed he had minimal safety or survival equipment.

The P-8A and crew began the search on Thursday (NZT).