Fishing vessel successfully towed to Macquarie Island
Tuesday 26 July 2011, 12:05PM
By New Zealand Long Line
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The 21 crew and the fishing vessel Janas have reached a sheltered area of Macquarie Island ahead of bad weather.
Following an engineering breakdown while the vessel was fishing in the Southern Ocean, around 600 miles south of New Zealand, Janas requested a tow to the island as a precautionary measure.
The Australian vessel Aurora Australis responded to a call from Janas, towed the vessel overnight to Macquarie Island and arrived this morning. All crew are well and work to repair the engine will now continue.
According to New Zealand Long Line spokesperson, Ross Tocker, the Janas is now protected from the low pressure system as it is in the lee of the island.
“Safety of our crew is our first priority so with help from Aurora Australis we have ensured the Janas is in a protected position,” said New Zealand Long Line spokesperson, Ross Tocker. “At no stage have lives been at risk.”
The Janas is in the Southern Ocean on a regular fishing trip. Its crew is made up of people from New Zealand and Australia and contact has been made with crew members’ families. The reason for the engineering breakdown is being investigated.
Janas is a 46m longline vessel owned by New Zealand Long Line a joint venture between Talleys and Sealord Group. It is currently operating in the Australian fishery under charter to Australian Long Line Pty.