Crew questioned about ship fire tomorrow

The crew from the Amaltal Columbia will be questioned about the fire that forced their evacuation as soon as tomorrow.

The Talley's fishing boat caught alight around 5.30 this morning and the 43 crew are on their way back into Lyttelton.

Talleys spokesman Tony Hazlett says it's been very traumatic for the crew.

"Our intention is to get those crew either back to Nelson, or back to their homes as soon as we can. It's going to be a requirement for the senior officers and some people to be interviewed by maritime authorities and that will take place in Nelson tomorrow."

Mr Hazlett says he's seen the vessel that's still alight but the flames seem to be under control.

He says there is a significant amount of fuel on board though.

"The vessel carries about 450,000 litres. And it would have used about half of that."

The owner of one of the boats who helped rescue the crew of the Amaltal Columbia says human life will always be put before fish.

Crew member Louise Kissane says the conditions were terrible when the decision was made to get into the life rafts.

"It was rough, it was really windy and cold. But we all got in our suits straight away, and just got ready, just in case. Just in shock, everyone's still really shaken up, can't believe it's happened."

The Ivan Gollubets saved 31 of the crew.

Owner Mark Allison says the rescue mission had a good result.

"My understanding is that it went reasonably well, all the crew from the Columbia were put on board the boat and gone over with the medical officers on board to see if everybody was fine."

Photo: NZ Herald