At least three dead after trawler sinks off NZ coast

An RNZAF Orion is expected to reach the scene of the sinking about 10am today. Photo / Supplied

Three bodies have been found and three crew are still missing after a New Zealand chartered fishing vessel sank in the Southern Ocean.

The Oyang 70 had 51 crewmen on board when it sank 400 nautical miles off the coast of Dunedin.

Other fishing boats in the area have rescued 45 crew from life rafts.
An Air Force Orion has begun searching for the three still missing, including the ship's Master.

The search is being directed by the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington.

Rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said one life raft was unaccounted for.

"We have so far recovered five life rafts but have been advised there was a sixth life raft on board. We remain hopeful of locating the three missing men," Mr Roberts said.

Five fishing vessels are combing the sea searching for survivors from the 82 metre trawler. Radio New Zealand reported that 45 of the 51 crew on board had so far been rescued.

Air Force spokesman Kavae Tamariki said the Orion took off at 7.30am and would arrive at the scene of the sinking at 9.15am. He said the Orion crew would be searching in good conditions with wind at 12 knots.

"It won't be an issue, as long as the fog lifts," Squadron Leader Tamariki said.

He said the pilots would divide the area of sea into a grid and begin their search.

The Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington received an alert from the Oyang 70's emergency beacon and a mayday call at about 4.40am.

The weather in the area has been reported as "good but foggy and extremely cold".

The crew members are foreign nationals.

The Oyang 70 is believed to be a fishing factory ship, 82 metres long and with a displacement of about 1500 tonnes.

It is owned by the Southern Storm Fishing (2007) Limited, a Korean company which appeared in the District Court in Nelson earlier this year after the ship discharged light fuel oil into Nelson Harbour in February last year.

- NZHERALD STAFF & NZPA