'Missing' ship found safe in Pacific

Searchers found the 87-year-old sailing ship the Alvei with all nine on board, including four Australians, safe and well.

The 28m steel-hulled Alvei was located about 760km north of North Cape, New Zealand. The ship had been feared missing en route to New Zealand from Vanuatu, after it failed to arrive on the North Island on its scheduled date of December 1. Captain Evan Logan has told search authorities the ship had been delayed because of unfavorable winds. Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand said a NZ Air Force Orion spotted the Alvei while searching an area along its intended route. The Alvei is run by a non-profit cooperative, which allows people to travel for a low cost on the understanding they contribute to maintenance, cooking and sailing while on board.

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