Shipwreck Log

The 21 meter long fishing vessel Mata’u went aground just off the shore of the atoll of Pukapuka.  The vessel had been fishing for three weeks for tuna when it was caught in a strong swell pushing the Mata’u hard aground on a reef.  The crew contacted the Papeete MRCC who dispatched rescuers to the scene.  The crew of six on board the Mata’u were safely rescued and taken ashore.  No reports of injuries or pollution being released.   Salvage plans will have the vessel’s cargo of tuna unloaded along with draining the fuel tanks, before attempts to pull the vessel off the reef will be made.