Father and son rescued at sea

TONGA – A Tongan man and his son who went missing while on a fishing trip three days ago have been rescued after being located drifting by a Royal New Zealand Airforce Orion.

Sifa Pepa (40), and his son Tevita Pepa (14) were located alive and are reportedly on their way back home on a Tonga police SAR boat after a three-day ordeal drifting in the open sea, after the motor on their small fishing boat failed on Saturday.

The pair were in a 4.2-metre craft that left the island of ‘Eua about 5.30am Saturday.

Tonga Police said the pair last made contact by mobile phone on Saturday evening advising of engine problems.

A local Marine Search and Rescue operation was launched but was unsuccessful prompting police to request help from New Zealand.

A Royal New Zealand Airforce Orion left New Zealand at 9am and has found the missing fishermen around 1.00pm.

“I am happy that we can return Sifa and his son Tevita to their loved ones for Christmas.” Tonga Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said.

- PNC