Japanese Fishing Vessel Refuels

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32119, 15 October 1969, Page 1

Japanese Fishing Vessel Refuels

A 20-knot easterly wind and a light chop created a minor problem for the master of the Japanese line-fishing vessel Fujisei Maru No. 5 at Lyttelton yesterday.

The 28,391-ton ship called at Lyttelton for fuel and stores. After taking on fuel at the cattle jetty, it had difficulty leaving the berth because of the wind. An attempt was made to swing the ship’s head out from the jetty, with 15 of the crew heaving on a long bamboo pole, but the pole broke and the pilot cutter Wairangi was called to haul the bow into the wind. The Fujisei Maru No. 5 then transferred to a berth at Gladstone Pier. Similar to a number of others which have called at Lyttelton in recent years, the ship is owned by the Fuji Suisan K.K. Company, of Yaizu, Japan, and was built in 1961. Language difficulties prohi-

bited any definite figure being obtained for the time the vessel has been away from Japan but it appeared to have been fishing in New Zealand waters for a long time. A large number of fins and tails from shark were strung on poles in the ship’s rigging and laced round the squat, square funnel to dry. About 25 crew were seen aboard. A great number of electronic navigation and fishing aids are fitted to the vessel, which is 135 ft long. Four six-cylin-der diesel engines provide 650 horsepower and give the ship a speed of 10 knots. The Fujisei Maru No. 5 will put to sea tomorrow to continue fishing off the New Zealand coast. It is commanded by Captain S. Nishikawa.