Trawler tragedy survivors arrive in NZ

Fishermen rescued from the Oyang 70, which sunk in the Southern Ocean, leave the Amaltal Atlantis (L). Photo / Simon Baker

Heavy security has surrounded the arrival at Lyttelton Port of the survivors of the sinking of the Korean fishing vessel Oyang 70 in the Southern Ocean.

The vessel Amaltal Atlantis - the Talley's fishing vessel that came to the Oyang 70's rescue - docked at the port at 4.45am, carrying 45 of the survivors.

They were driven from the port on a bus with a police escort and the tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch was closed so that media were unable to follow.

Three of the survivors were taken by ambulances to Christchurch Hospital, all with minor injuries.

One had a torn ligament in his hand, one had a broken middle finger, and a third was awaiting the result of an x-ray on his arm.

The bodies of three of Oyang 70 crew who died after the sinking were carried in stretchers from the Amaltal Atlantis onto the wharf, where a joint religious ceremony was held involving local Maori, a mullah from the Christchurch mosque and the Mission of Seafarers.

The Maori delegation Ngati Wheke hapu performed a powhiri upon the ship's arrival and tapu lifting ceremony for the bodies and the vessel itself.

The bodies of the three dead have been taken by hearse to Christchurch Hospital, where autopsies will be carried out before they are returned to their families.

Clothing has been purchased for the survivors and money advanced for them upon their arrival in Christchurch.

They have been taken to a hotel were they will rest before being interviewed by police and investigators from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Taic).

It is expected the survivors will stay in Christchurch over the weekend and, depending on the length of inquiries, they are likely to return to their homes early next week.

The life raft involved in the sinking has been taken from the Amaltal Atlantis and put into secure storage for the investigation.

The Amaltal Atlantis will be restocked with supplies before returning to sea in the next couple of days.