The high-seas drama to rescue the Singaporean MV Shiling cargo ship is not over yet, with a large operation underway to bring the vessel back to Wellington.
The MV Shiling broke down on Friday after leaving the Wellington Harbour bound for Singapore where it issued a mayday call off the coast of the South Island.
Video taken from a fishing boat, the Crusader was in the area and shows the tug boat Emerald Skandi coming to the distressed cargo ship’s aid after its mayday call.
On Friday, Maritime New Zealand said the cargo ship was 22 nautical miles northwest of Farewell Spit. The ship put a request through for assistance at about 8:27am on Friday after losing power and steering and at 11am, the vessel put out a mayday call.
The stricken vessel is sitting in Tasman Bay, but will soon be returned to the capital.
Wellington Harbour Master Grant Nalder told AM people across Aotearoa and other countries are working to "make it happen".
Nalder said weather conditions are being considered before Maritime NZ gives the all-clear for the Shiling to leave Tasman Bay.
"The centre port will provide pilots for both the tug and the ship and the two harbor tugs, which are also very powerful tugs."
He said tugs will connect up to the MV Shiling and bring it "calmly up the harbour".
"There'll be a one-way traffic so there'll be no other shipping around while it's coming in, and we'll just do it in a careful and safe and cautious approach."
Nalder said despite there being no power on the ship, "very good Marine crew" will ensure it is docked on Wellington harbour safely.
He told AM work is still being done to understand what the actual issue on the ship is, Nalder understands it's fixable.
"But until it gets properly assessed, we don't know exactly what that means."
There is not yet a known date for its return to Wellington.
Watch Nalder's full interview above.
