Missing trio from fishing vessel found

Three crewmen who fled from an international fishing vessel docked in Bluff Harbour have been found.

Southland Area Commander Inspector Joel Lamb said police responded to a call from a member of the public and located the three men.

Detective Sergeant Dave Kennelly said the three Vietnamese nationals were found just after 5am yesterday on the southern outskirts of Invercargill.

‘‘They are in custody under the Immigration Act and the matter has been handed to Immigration New Zealand,’’ Kennelly said.

Police said the men left the Korean fishing vessel, Southern Ocean, on Monday night, and in spite of a search of the port facilities by police and South Port staff, the vessel departed on Tuesday afternoon without the three crew members on board.

Immigration New Zealand Assistant general manager Peter Devoy confirmed the three fishing crew members were in New Zealand unlawfully.

‘‘They are being held in custody under section 313 of the Immigration Act and will be interviewed by INZ compliance officers before any deportation or other action takes place,’’ he said.

Section 313 of the act allows detention for up to 96 hours without a warrant.

The vessel docked on Monday afternoon with one dead and one injured crew member board.

Kennelly said the deceased crew member, a Chinese national, died on November 20, following in incident in the Southern Ocean.

‘‘Police understand the man died and the crewman was injured while working on the fishing vessel.

‘‘This incident occurred in the Southern Ocean, within international waters, but New Zealand is the closest country so we have the obligation to investigate.’’

Kennelly said the injured crew member had sustained moderate injuries and had received medical treatment.

Devoy said they had been transported to Southland Hospital and granted a twoweek visa.

It is understood five crew were swept overboard while chipping ice off a funnel. Three were believed to be unharmed.

Another crew member suffered moderate injuries and one died.

Bluff Community Board Chair Raymond Fife said that although rare, crew did occasionally jump ship in Bluff.

‘‘In the past they have never been any risk to the local community, quite the opposite, in fact, and the community has helped out until they could be repatriated,’’ he said.

Fife is also an inspector for the International Transport Federation, which looks after the interests of seafarers.

‘‘Whether it’s the conditions on the ship, or they are being bullied, sometimes they just don’t want to go on,’’ he said.

Although there were good trawlers, and the standard was getting better, some were ‘‘absolutely diabolical below decks where the crew live’’.

Most disgruntled crew members knew to talk to the federation, but some might be too desperate or unaware of their options.

"In the past they have never been any risk to the local community." Bluff Community Board Chair Raymond Fife