Ship cleared to leave Marsden Point

The logging ship on which two crew members died has been cleared to leave Northland's Marsden Point after a deal was reached between the owners and crew over safety concerns.

Deongchil Oh, 56, of Korea, and Thi Ha Aung, 33, of Myanmar, apparently suffocated on Monday after they entered the ship's hold without the required breathing apparatus.

A third man who went to their aid was pulled to safety by two more crewmen wearing breathing apparatus. He was treated in hospital and later rejoined the crew.

The ship was due to leave for Tauranga at 11am yesterday but was held up as crew refused to sail until safety concerns were addressed.

International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF) inspector Grahame McLaren has spent two days working through the issues, and a deal was agreed this morning.

Maritime Union General Secretary Joe Fleetwood said the Burmese crew members would return with the vessel to Korea where the company would release them from their contract.

The crew members would be paid wages owing, repatriation costs, and a bonus.

Under the agreement, they would be able to refuse to carry out work they felt was unsafe, Mr Fleetwood said.

Several investigations are under way into the deaths of the two crew members, although police said their work was almost done.

"Once it's determined there's an accident we just act on behalf of coroner and prepare the file," said Sergeant Ken Andrews, of Northland Police.

- NZPA