Update #2

Fishing boat on fire off the Canterbury coast

The majority of the 43 crew of the 64 metre New Zealand fishing boat Amaltal Columbia have abandoned ship and are being transferred to another vessel following a fire on board, approximately 70km north-east of Lyttelton Heads.

Four members of the crew remain on board, including the captain, with the other crew members being transferred to the Russian fishing boat, the Ivan Golubets, which responded to the mayday call from the vessel.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) received an urgent call from the vessel at 5.20am today alerting them to the fire – this was elevated to a mayday call at approximately 5.40am.

The fire started in the stern of the vessel and has spread.

No injuries have been reported.

An RNZAF Orion is in position above the vessel monitoring the situation, with a second fishing boat, the San Discovery, approximately half an hour from the Amaltal Columbia’s position.

There is a 4 metre swell in the area with winds of 30 knots.
ENDS