Aussie Navy rescues Kiwi fishing boat

The vessel's main engine broke down. Photo / Thinkstock

A New Zealand fishing vessel is being rescued by the Australian Navy after getting into trouble in the Southern Ocean yesterday.

The FV Janas, from Nelson but based in Tasmania, radioed a distress signal from its position south of the rsub-Antarctic Macquarie Island yesterday morning.

The vessel's captain reported the vessel's main engine had broken down due to a blown turbo and the 45m ship, with 21 people on board, was in need of assistance.

The Australian Navy's charter boat, the Aurora Australis, is now towing the FV Janas, which is Australian flagged, to shelter in calmer waters near Macquarie Island.

None of the crew of the FV Janas, which is part-owned by Sealord have been reported injured.

- NZPA