Port's cat in mid-ocean mercy mission

Port workers in New Zealand are trying to organise a mid-ocean transfer after their cat stowed away on a ship.

The cat, called Colin's, lives on Port Taranaki's tanker terminal but stowed away on a Korea-bound ship.

Workers are trying to get a New Zealand-bound ship to meet the ship Colin's is on and complete the transfer.

Staff think if the cat is taken ashore in South Korea she may then have to be quarantined for several months.

Colin's was named after an employee at the terminal who adopted her after she was dumped there nine years ago, according to reports.

New Plymouth shipping agent Larry Stewart who's been trying to arrange the transfer says: "I tell you, I've got a file about three feet thick.

"It all started when the tanker terminal guys said their cat was missing, and could we check with all the tankers that had visited to see if they had it."

He says he couldn't believe it when he found the ship Colin's is on. He thinks he'll have the transfer organised by next week.