Fire on tug boat extinguished

A fire on board a tug boat in the Hauraki Gulf has been put out.

Maritime New Zealand and Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Ross Henderson said the tug was on its way to Auckland.

Fire broke out in the engine room of the 20 metre tug Koraki while it pulling a barge this morning when she was about 11 nautical miles off Little Barrier Island.

The five crew members on board sent out a Mayday call and took to the life rafts at 3am, Mr Henderson said.

Coastguard boats from Kawau Island and Whangarei and the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter were sent to help.

Mr Henderson said HMNZS Rotoiti was also sent to help with its specialist fire-fighting equipment on board.

"The fire has now been extinguished and the Koraki's crew are back on board. One of the vessel's engines has been restarted and the vessel is heading back to Auckland," Mr Henderson said.

Rotoiti's crew sprayed the tug with seawater to cool the hull and deck before going on board at first light.

They found hot spots in the engine room and believed the fire was still smouldering, said coastguard duty officer Kat Andrews.

She said the tug was still very hot.

"There are some very hot spots in the engine room. If it has been hot enough to have a fire in there, it will be too hot for anyone to work on that vessel for some time. It is amazing how long it takes for metal to cool down," she said.

Shortly before they abandoned ship the crew closed all doors in the hope the fire would be contained.

Mr Henderson said Maritime New Zealand accident investigators are investigating the fire.

- NZ Herald Staff & NZPA