Sharks scupper Kotuku salvage attempt

Strong tides and circling sharks caused a dive team to abandon an attempt to salvage the sunken trawler Kotuku yesterday.

The 15m vessel with nine people on board sank about 2.30pm on May 13 after capsizing in Foveaux Strait near Stewart Island during a muttonbirding trip.

Three people managed to swim to Women's Island and survive, but six others died.