Passengers on the German cruise liner Albatros have collected about $US16,000 (TP$35,000) for six Tongan fishermen rescued by the ship.
The men were picked up last Sunday after a RNZAF Orion located their drifting fishing boat about 400km north of Tonga.
The fishermen set off a distress beacon on Saturday morning.
The Albatros was asked to rescue the men.
RNZAF spokesman Air Commodore Darryn Webb said the Orion dropped including a radio, water and food to the men, who had been without water for three days.
The fishing boat was taking in water as it wallowed in a swell.
The Albatros was en route to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, but diverted 300km to pick up the men about 2.30pm on Saturday.
Radio New Zealand reported that the money collected by the passengers will be used to help cover the loss of their boat, which was abandoned.
Senior Search and Rescue Officer Ramon Davis said the fishing boat was unlikely to remain afloat beyond the weekend.
The men were reported to be in good health.
The main points
- Passengers on the German cruise liner Albatros have collected about $US16,000 (TP$35,000) for six Tongan fishermen rescued by the ship.
- The men were picked up last Sunday after a RNZAF Orion located their drifting fishing boat about 400km north of Tonga.
- It is understood the money donated by the passengers will be used to help cover the loss of their boat, which was abandoned.
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