6 Americans, 1 Brit sailing historic vessel still missing in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) -- At least seven people went missing after a vessel they were sailing on became unaccounted for, local media reported Thursday.

A historic, 21-meter American schooner called Nina was apparently on route from New Zealand to Australia when it went missing. The vessel left Opua in the Bay of Islands on May 29, but it has not been contacted since June 4, when it was located around 370 nautical miles west-northwest of Cape Reinga.

On board was David Dyche, an American nations, his wife Rosemary and son David, who were traveling along with three other Americans and a British backpacker, New Zealand's 3 News reported.

According to e Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ), the vessel might have been affected by winds reaching 80 kilometers per hour, gusting to 110kmh and swells of up to 8 meters on June 4.

A number of search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, but the vessel has remained missing, despite its emergency beacon not being activated.

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