N.Z. YACHT STILL OVERDUE

Chronicle (Levin), 10 February 1948, Page 5

N.Z. YACHT STILL OVERDUE

(N.Z.P.A.T-

—Reuter,

"(SHAP IN GALE FEARED ■ AERIAL SEARCH STARTS

Copyright}

Received Tuesday, 1(T.10 a.m. SYDNEY, "February 10. It is feared that the New Zealand qutter, Rangi, for which an aerial search began this morning, may have met ' trouble in the reeent Tasman cyclone. An RP.A.A.F. Catalina will search an area of 10,000 square miles south-xvest of Lord Howe Islancb

• Yachtsmen believe that unlegs the Rangi was disabled, she shouj'd have reached Sydney four days ago. Altliough fltted with a radio, she has not communicated with the shore since she left Auckland 17 days ago. Her disability in heavy seas lies in the fact that her sides are low. Only an exceptional mishap which seriously , damaged the deck- or hull of the ship coul'd cause her to foiuider, I but she may have been dismasted in the cyclone. If that ig so, the! only hazard her crew - face' is a

shortage of water or food. An R.A.A.F, spokesman said the GJatalina would make a "box suryey" from a point south-west of Lord Howe Island today and stay out 18 huirs if necessary. Commenting on a New Zealand yachting official's view that it was too early for alarm, over the Rangi's non-arrival, the secretary of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Mr. J- A. Kyd, .said that the Rapgi t'ook "nearly 20 days in the 1931 race because of . unusually severe weather.