RCCNZ coordinates southern ocean rescue

A Korean fishing vessel with 40 crew on board has issued a Mayday call from deep in the southern ocean, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.

The 51m vessel, Jeong Woo 2, is in the Ross Sea, about 2000 nautical miles (3704 kilometres) south east of New Zealand and about 600 kilometres north of McMurdo Station.

Jeong Woo 2 issued a distress call, which was picked up by another Korean fishing vessel Hong Jin 707 and relayed to RCCNZ by the NZ vessel Antarctic Chieftain just before 3am. No direct contact has yet been established between RCCNZ and Jeong Woo 2.

Jeong Woo 2 is reported to have a fire on board, and only one viable lifeboat remaining. Of the crew, 25 are believed to be in a lifeboat, 12 remain onboard the vessel and three were believed to be missing. Of the 12 remaining on the vessel, three are believed to be injured.

RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Dave Wilson said the fire was reported as out of control. Five vessels are responding to the distress call, including the sister ship Jeong Woo 3, which was about 35 minutes away.

Mr Wilson said a US research vessel with hospital facilities was about 12 hours away from the Jeong Woo 2’s reported position, with two other vessels around 10 hours away. Contact is also being made with the Italian and Australian Antarctic bases to investigate whether it is possible to use an aircraft to lift any injured from the Italian base at Terra Nova Bay to McMurdo Base.

The weather in the area currently is clear, with light winds, although a low is expected tomorrow.