At least three fishermen have died and more are feared dead after an 82-meter fishing boat sank early today with 51 crew on board about 400 nautical miles off New Zealand's east coast.
45 of the crew members are safe, later being rescued from there life rafts but unfortunately 3 bodies have been retrieved and three are still missing, one is believed to be the captain of the Oyang 70, a foreign vessel chartered by a New Zealand company.
Rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said one life raft was still 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.
An Air Force Orion has begun searching for the three still missing.
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.
