France has sent a naval team to French Polynesia's Anuanurunga atoll to try to contain a possible oil spill from a stranded Chinese longliner.
Ping Tai Rong 49 Photo: FB French High Commission in French Polynesia
The 40-metre-long Ping Tai Rong 49 hit the uninhabited atoll 720 kilometres south-east of Tahiti on Friday night while travelling from the Cook Islands to waters near Pitcairn.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Tahiti first sent a helicopter to rescue the 15-strong crew and flew them to nearby Nukutepitepi, also in the Duke of Gloucester Islands.
The navy also brought 300 metres of spill containment barriers to the area.
It's not immediately known what caused the fishing boat to hit the reef.
In March last year, another Chinese fishing vessel ran aground on the reef of Arutua atoll, which is also in the Tuamotus.
The Shen Gang Shun 1, which had shark meat on board while sailing in a shark sanctuary, has been abandoned by its owners.
Attempts to refloat the rusting vessel have been unsuccessful while legal avenues are being pursued to bring them to account.
