Salvage crew pull sunken trawler to Stewart Island

A second attempt to salvage the sunken trawler Kotuku was successful yesterday, although the boat remained under water off Stewart Island last night.

The boat, which had been lying intact at the bottom of Foveaux Strait near Womens Island since it sank on May 13, was floated to the surface by a dive team using airbags about 1pm.

Six lives, including three generations from one family, were lost when the trawler capsized on a muttonbirding trip, in New Zealand's worst maritime disaster for more than 20 years.

Three people survived the tragedy by swimming to Womens Island.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) chief investigator John Mockett said divers entered the water just after 11am, when the tidal currents were at their weakest.

After being forced to abandon their first attempt to raise the vessel on Tuesday because of strong currents and the threat of sharks, they successfully inflated the airbags floating the vessel.

However, Mr Mockett said the airbags had popped out as the boat was raised and the vessel was suspended from ropes attached to them as they floated on the surface.

The 15m Kotuku, still on its side and underwater, was then dragged in a "very gentle" five-hour operation from the spot where it sank to Stewart Island, arriving about 6pm.

It was set down on the sea floor in shallow waters near the island overnight, to be lifted out of the water using a barge and crane, pumped out and re-floated this morning for inspection.

Mr Mockett said he had spoken to members of the families involved in the tragedy yesterday to keep them "in the picture" about the salvage operation after some had expressed a wish that the Kotuku not be retrieved.

"They were never pleased we were going to bring her up and they are still of that opinion, but they understand why we need to," he said.

The overall investigation would take months, Mr Mockett said.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

* Investigators will inspect the salvaged Kotuku for clues to determine the cause of its catastrophic sinking on May 13.

* Evidence from survivors of the tragedy will be reviewed as part of the inquiry, which could take months.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES