The joint rescue co-ordination centre in Halifax says four people were rescued Sunday from a container ship about 60 kilometres south of Portugal Cove South, N.L.

Spokesman Maj. Martell Thompson says the ship is at anchor with a Canadian Coast Guard vessel standing by, but requires no further assistance from the joint rescue co-ordination centre.

Thompson says the centre received a call around 11:30 a.m. local time Sunday that the vessel was having issues with its hull.

Two Cormorant helicopters from Gander, N.L., and a Hercules aircraft from Greenwood, N.S., were dispatched.

He says four non-essential crew members were hoisted into a helicopter and taken to Portugal Cove South, while about 20 others remain on the ship working to resolve the issue.

Thompson says the case has been handed over to Transport Canada.