Three crew members fled the fishing vessel Korean fishing boat the Southern Ocean in Bluff, which pulled into Southport on Monday with a dead crew member on board, triggering a police search.
What we know:
- The dead crew member was a Chinese national died over a week ago
- He died from injuries obtained during an incident on board.
- The vessel arrived at Port in Bluff around 2pm yesterday (Monday 27th)
- A police search is underway for three crew members
Detective Sergeant Dave Kennelly said “This incident occurred in the Southern ocean, within international waters, but New Zealand is the closest country so we have the obligation to investigate”
“Police have an obligation to the Coroner to investigate all deaths that occur within the Coroner’s jurisdiction.”
He said it wasn’t a criminal investigation.
“This has been reported to police. We are working with the local port authority to locate the individuals, who are believed to still be within the port,” he said.
Inquiries continue to locate men in Bluff
Police are continuing to make inquiries to locate three crewman that absconded a fishing vessel overnight when it was docked at Bluff Harbour.
The vessel left the port around 3pm this afternoon.
The men were not on board.
Detective Sergeant Dave Kennelly says Police has been engaged in assisting other authorities to search the port area today.Anyone with sightings or information which may help can contact Police.