Five months after the fishing vessel San Nikunau was detained in American Samoa, the New Zealand tuna boat along with its crew left for Apia.
The vessel's owner Sanford Limited obtained the release of the boat after posting a $1 million bond with US authorities.
The tuna boat was detained in Pago Pago in connection with a US Coast Guard investigation over pollution allegations.
The investigation led to a federal indictment handed down last month charging Sanford with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, conspiracy and obstruction of justice with pollution violations and obstruction during an investigation.
