Aerial Search near Yeppoon sees AMSA (Cobham) Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNF "Rescue 550" Plus Local Rescue and Civil Helicopters at Rockhampton Airport and in the Area

On Tuesday 14 January, the search for a missing sailor off the coast of Yeppoon looked to be coordinated by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF "Rescue 550" which flew down from Cairns to the search area.  It then landed at Rockhampton Airport for a refuel before departing back to Cairns, possibly for a crew change.

File photo

After a short time back in Cairns, VH-XNF flew back South and re-joined the search before again landing at Rockhampton Airport for a refuel.  It then returned to Cairns.

Meanwhile, helicopters participating in the search included Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Bell 412EP VH-EPR "Rescue 300" and Stirling Helicopters Bell 206L-3 Long Ranger VH-JMM, along with Bundaberg-based LifeFlight Bell 412EP VH-XCI "Rescue 522", which all landed and refeulled at Rockhampton Airport at various times during the day.

While  Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Gladstone Helicopters) Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGH joined the search during the day flying from and back to its Gladstone Airport base.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©