WELLINGTON, New Zealand, June 17 (UPI) -- The three-member crew of a sinking vessel was rescued by a fishing boat early Monday south of American Samoa, New Zealand officials said.
The crew of the vessel, two Americans and a Canadian, reported that their boat, the MV Horizons, was taking on water to the Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu via satellite phone and email just after 4:30 a.m., the Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand reported in a news release.
Dave Wilson, the RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator, said three vessels were sent to the area, with the charter fishing vessel MV Last Stall making it there first and rescuing the crew of the sinking boat.
"This is an excellent outcome for what could have been a very serious incident," Wilson said. "We were fortunate there were a number of vessels relatively close to the scene and particularly appreciate the efforts of the MV Last Stall, which was heading for Tonga for repairs to its propeller shaft when it responded."
