Crew rescued from southern ocean vessel

Two Korean fishing vessels (Jeong Woo 3 and Hong Jin 707) are alongside and have evacuated crew from the Jeong Woo 2, the Korean fishing vessel on fire in the Southern Ocean, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.

Of the 40 crew known to be on board, at least three have burns and were evacuated by crane. Three more are believed to be missing. The crew is being medically assessed and the rescuing ships plan to transfer injured seamen to the US research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer, which is steaming north to meet them.

The Nathaniel B. Palmer has suitable medical facilities on board and will sail to McMurdo Base to put the injured seamen ashore.

A number of other vessels are also responding and have been asked to rendezvous with Jeong Woo 3 and the Hong Jin 707 to take on the uninjured crew.

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

She issued a distress call, which was picked up by Hong Jin 707 and relayed to RCCNZ by the NZ vessel Antarctic Chieftain just before 3am (NZDT).

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