Fishermen Rescued After Boat Catches Fire Off New Zealand

[News_Editor]

<p>WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) -- Four fishermen were rescued early Friday morning after a commercial boat caught fire off the South Island of New Zealand, local officials said. The vessel also began taking on water, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

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<p>The incident began at around 6:20 a.m. local time on Friday when crew members aboard the commercial vessel 'Honey Dew' shot up a flare and began broadcasting emergency messages over radio to nearby vessels to assist. Emergency services also responded to the area.

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<p>"Another commercial fishing vessel responded to the call and recovered the Honey Dew crew. It is currently en route to Jackson's Bay and is expected there about 3 p.m. today," a New Zealand police spokesperson said. It was not immediately known whether any of the crew members were injured.

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<p>Police said the stricken vessel, which began taking on water after catching fire, is drifting about 500 meters (546 yard) offshore of Knights Point, which is located near Haast on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The recovery of the boat will be managed by Maritime NZ.

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