A Pan Pan message from Maritime Radio was heard on VHF channel 16 on Tuesday night while both of the Coastguard Mana rescue boats were already out on the water training.
There had been reports of a flare sighting South of Kapiti Island from Raumati South. Shortly after receiving the Pan Pan call both rescue vessel crews sighted a green light arcing up into the sky and then coming down before 'burning out' just before the horizon. Search procedures were activated and then we notified Police and Maritime Radio that we are on standby. Police activated a search and Trust Porirua Rescue proceeded out to sea on a straight line search. CRV Pelorus was observing from Tokaapapa Reef.
At 21:15 police advised multiple events on light sightings in the sky from Waverley to Wellington. Vessels and crews stood down.