They grow strong natives in the outposts of New Zealand.
November 25, 2010
Three Boys Feared Lost Are Found in Pacific
By JONATHAN HUTCHISON
AUCKLAND, New Zealand Three teenagers who were adrift in the South Pacific for 50 days have been found alive by a fishing vessel, officials here said Thursday.
The two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old, from the Tokelau Islands of New Zealand, had long been presumed dead when their small aluminum rowboat was spotted Wednesday afternoon.
As we got closer, we could see that it was a small craft, Tai Fredricsen, the first mate of the fishing vessel, the San Nikuna, said by phone from the ship on Thursday. We could see that it was three occupants inside. And I could bring the vessel right up beside them, and I asked them, do they need any help? And they replied, yes, they do.
The boys had been rowing in the Atafu Atoll in the Tokelau Islands, a remote sprinkling of islets about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. After several days of local searches, the New Zealand Air Force searched the area by plane, and also failed to find the three.
Mr. Fredricsen said the boys had 20 coconuts on board when they disappeared, which they ate within the first two days. For the next 48 days they survived by capturing water during the night, and catching and eating fish and a sea bird.
The teenagers were very thin, but in good spirits, Mr. Fredricsen said. Their bones were protruding from underneath their skin, he said. But mentally and spiritually, very high.
When I actually started talking to them, they were very conscious, he said. They were responsive to all my questions. It just showed what incredible young people these are.
An air force spokesman, Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki, said the chance of finding the boys on board a small aluminum dinghy had been slim.
Its only a small dot to try and pick them up on the radar, he said, adding, But to find out that theyre alive now is just amazing.
The San Nikuna was taking the boys to Suva, in Fiji, for hospital treatment. On the way they watched DVDs and listened to music.
Mr. Fredricsen said the rescue was a matter of sheer luck.
This area where we actually found them, its very infrequently traveled by vessels, he said. Its not a major route for any ships or anything.
Our general course is toward American Samoa, he added. Its just by chance we were coming toward New Zealand to unload.
Kim Choe contributed reporting.
November 25, 2010
Three Boys Feared Lost Are Found in Pacific
By JONATHAN HUTCHISON
AUCKLAND, New Zealand Three teenagers who were adrift in the South Pacific for 50 days have been found alive by a fishing vessel, officials here said Thursday.
The two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old, from the Tokelau Islands of New Zealand, had long been presumed dead when their small aluminum rowboat was spotted Wednesday afternoon.
As we got closer, we could see that it was a small craft, Tai Fredricsen, the first mate of the fishing vessel, the San Nikuna, said by phone from the ship on Thursday. We could see that it was three occupants inside. And I could bring the vessel right up beside them, and I asked them, do they need any help? And they replied, yes, they do.
The boys had been rowing in the Atafu Atoll in the Tokelau Islands, a remote sprinkling of islets about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. After several days of local searches, the New Zealand Air Force searched the area by plane, and also failed to find the three.
Mr. Fredricsen said the boys had 20 coconuts on board when they disappeared, which they ate within the first two days. For the next 48 days they survived by capturing water during the night, and catching and eating fish and a sea bird.
The teenagers were very thin, but in good spirits, Mr. Fredricsen said. Their bones were protruding from underneath their skin, he said. But mentally and spiritually, very high.
When I actually started talking to them, they were very conscious, he said. They were responsive to all my questions. It just showed what incredible young people these are.
An air force spokesman, Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki, said the chance of finding the boys on board a small aluminum dinghy had been slim.
Its only a small dot to try and pick them up on the radar, he said, adding, But to find out that theyre alive now is just amazing.
The San Nikuna was taking the boys to Suva, in Fiji, for hospital treatment. On the way they watched DVDs and listened to music.
Mr. Fredricsen said the rescue was a matter of sheer luck.
This area where we actually found them, its very infrequently traveled by vessels, he said. Its not a major route for any ships or anything.
Our general course is toward American Samoa, he added. Its just by chance we were coming toward New Zealand to unload.
Kim Choe contributed reporting.