An 18 metre fishing trawler has run aground off the coast of Ruatoria near Gisborne.
The Rescue Coordination Centre says the Philip V ran aground at about 12.30am on Wednesday 12 nautical miles north of the Waiapu river mouth.
It is 20 metres off the beach and listing at 30 degrees.
A Rescue Coordination Centre search and rescue officer Chris Wilson told Morning Report the skipper says the trawler's hatches are all closed and sealed so the vessel should remain upright.
She says a tug will travel to the area on Wednesday afternoon to free the trawler.
The trawler's owner Tuck Destounis says the vessel is now high and dry and the two crew have disembarked.
He says while the tug is due to arrive on Wednesday afternoon he hopes the vessel may be refloated at high tide.
The Rescue Coordination Centre says a flight over the scene on Wednesday morning revealed no sign of any fuel spill but as a precautionary measure, booms and absorption pads are being taken to the site.
