The fishermen, who had run out of drinking water three days ago, had set off an emergency locator beacon and were found 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Tonga by a searching New Zealand Air Force Orion.
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Arrangements were made for the cruise ship the Albatros to change course, and it took more than nine hours to reach the stricken vessel, New Zealand Search and Rescue co-ordinator Ramon Davis said.
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"When the Albatros rendezvoused with the fishing vessel, crew jumped into the water to swim to the ship," Davis said.
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"Their fishing boat had been taking on water and was unlikely to remain afloat for more than 24 hours. The crew had also run out of drinking water.
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They had been in a truly life-threatening situation."
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The New Zealand Air Force crew who located the 11.5-metre boat dropped emergency equipment and a radio to the men, who were then able to communicate that they could not start their motor due to a flat battery.
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