Kotuku trawler salvaged

The trawler Kotuku has finally been salvaged from Foveaux Strait where it sank 11 days ago, killing six of the nine people on board.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) chief investigator John Mockett told NZPA the boat was lifted by airbags early this afternoon.

The boat, still submerged beneath the balloons, is being towed to Stewart Island.

It has taken three days for the boat to be salvaged, with delays caused by bad weather, strong currents and the threat of sharks.

Captain Mockett said the vessel was being towed slowly to Stewart Island and was expected to arrive early this evening.

"When they get to Stewart Island, because it is suspended underneath the bags, they (divers and barge team) will have to put it on the bottom tonight and then in the morning will refloat it for it to be inspected."

The TAIC investigation team and Maritime New Zealand are in charge of the inspection, Capt Mockett said.

The 15m vessel with nine people on board sank on May 13 after capsizing near Stewart Island as it was returning from a muttonbirding trip.

Three people on board managed to swim to Women's Island and survived, but six others died, including three generations of one family, making it New Zealand's worst maritime disaster in more than 20 years.

- NZPA