Detained ship allowed to leave

A Chinese-owned logging ship that was detained in Wellington after being deemed unfit to sail has been allowed to leave the country.

The 169m Zeus 1 has been berthed at Aotea Quay since September 7 while the company worked through a long list of non-compliance problems.

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) inspectors found none of the crew on board could speak English, The Dominion Post reported.

A new English-speaking captain and chief officer had to be flown out from China to fill the requirement that senior crew needed to be able to communicate with port authorities.

MNZ also uncovered 37 other deficiencies after boarding the ship on its arrival from New Caledonia via Port Chalmers.

They included problems with lifesaving equipment, radiocommunications, ship certificates and documents, fire safety measures and mooring ties.

The ship was eventually able to sail away on Thursday after the deficiencies were fixed.

- NZPA