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EPIRB distress beacon saves three from sinking boat near Chatham Islands

Three crew have been rescued from a sinking crayfish boat this morning thanks to a floating distress beacon that had only been recently installed. At 8.20am the beacon was activated from Western Reef, 32km northwest of the Chatham Islands. The owner, who was on land, confirmed there were three people on board the 10m cray fishing boat, Mary Ellen 2. Two fishing boards headed to the scene and picked up the three crew members from the bow of the partially submerged vessel. Rescue Coordination Centre NZ senior search and rescue officer Dave Wilson said the beacon saved their lives. >click to read<17:28