Curious onlookers gathered at Avatiu Harbour yesterday to watch the precarious operation of fishing vessel FV Zambucca being lifted out of the water by two cranes.

Weighing about 80 to 90 tonnes, the 20-metre-long fishing vessel was carefully manoeuvred onto an extra-long trailer and towed to the Landholdings Ltd section nearby.

The Zambucca is due for its marine survey, a detailed inspection of a boat’s exterior and interior mechanical components, which is required every five years.

In May last year, dozens of Police and Cook Islands Ports Authority staff were involved in the rescue of Zambucca. The vessel was towed into Avatiu Harbour after suffering engine troubles. Zambucca was adrift 120 kilometres southeast of Rarotonga with a failed main engine.

In January 2018, the vessel became stranded on the reef at Muri and remained stuck until favourable weather conditions made a successful salvage attempt several days later.

The vessel is owned by Bill Doherty and supplies his fish shop Ocean Fresh. FV Zambucca has been operating out of Rarotonga since 2016.