Supplies Reach Ship Stranded In Antarctic

A military transport plane has dropped off lifesaving supplies to the crew of a Russian fishing vessel stranded in the Antarctic after hitting an iceberg.

The Sparta issued a mayday after it struck underwater ice, tearing a 30cm (1ft) hole in the hull and causing it to list at 13 degrees.

The ship and its 32 crew members are now marooned about 2,000 nautical miles (3,704km) southeast of New Zealand.

Rescue ships, hampered by heavy sea ice, are still several days away but New Zealand's air force has been able to deliver fuel and equipment.

Crew members have been pumping water from the vessel and moving cargo around, making the boat safer and more stable.

They have also made patches that could be attached to the hole in the hull - if they can get the ship upright.

"They've made good progress. The vessel is certainly in a safer position than it was (on Friday," search and rescue co-ordinator Chris Wilson said.

With the southern hemisphere in the middle of summer, the weather in the area has been calm - with temperatures a relatively mild 3C.

The crew - made up 15 Russians, 16 Indonesians and one Ukrainian - all have emergency immersion suits, which can keep them alive for a time in freezing water.

The 48m (157ft) long Sparta is licensed to catch toothfish in the Southern Ocean.