Captain stands by Law of the Sea in PNG rescue

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Updated November 20, 2009 10:03:27

The captain of the fishing vessel Ocean Encounter which saved the lives of five Papua New Guinean men says it was the most tragic and enduring rescue he has been involved in.

The US-flagged fishing vessel Ocean Encounter is registered in American Samoa. The Embassy of Taiwan in Marshall Islands has issued the crew members of the ship with a certificate of commendation in recognition of their "selfless and distinguished efforts" in what the embassy describes as "a humanitarian rescue".

And the US Embassy in Majuro also presented an award of excellence to the crew for their effort.

But questions remain about the disturbing suggestions that other vessels may have spotted the drifting 7 metre boat and did not stop to help the Papua New Guinean men. The ship's Captain, Ben Maughan, begins by describing how his crew are faring after picking-up the emaciated survivors.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Ben Maughan, Captain of the Ocean Encounter

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