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Nine people protesting against oil drilling off the New Zealand coast of Timaru were arrested yesterday.

Ten protesters remained on the OMV New Zealand support vessel Skandi Atlantic.

Oil Free Otago member Rosemary Penwarden, still on the ship, said the other protesters were arrested about noon yesterday.

‘‘We had to move while the crew were washing the deck and nine of us got arrested for trespassing.’’

It was unknown whether they would be charged, she said.

Police negotiators talked to the remainder of the protesters on the ship later in the day.

‘‘They said they wouldn’t act immediately, but that our options were to leave or be trespassed or arrested.