Sparta Set Free from Antarctic Ice
After an almost 2 week battle to stay afloat in icy Antarctic waters, the Russian fishing vessel, Sparta, has completed a round of temporary repairs with aid from a S. Korean icebreaker and set sail back in the open ocean.
Rescue coordinator, Tracy Brickles, told AFP that repairs on the stricken Sparta are complete, and that she is now heading north to sail with her sister ship, the Chiyo Maru No. 3 in open waters. The S. Korean icebreaker, Araon, who came to Sparta’s side will escort Sparta and open an ice lane to allow both ships to maneuver from the Antarctic ice shelf.
A small amount of hydraulic oil has reportedly escaped around the ruptured hull, but there are no apparent signs of any heavy fuel oil having leaked into the Ross Sea.
The 32-manned crew aboard Sparta had been stranded off the ice shelf for 12 days after being holed underneath the water line while ships answering their call for help could not reach them immediately due to heavy ice. Air drops of pumps and fuel from the NZ Air Force’s Hercules helicopter helped keep the vessel afloat and the men alive until the Araon finally reached Sparta on Christmas Day to assist in repairs.
Sparta is expected to embark on a 2,000 nautical mile journey to New Zealand now to undergo permanent repairs.
Related Articles:
Russian Fishing Ship Left Helpless and Taking on Water near Antarctica
Update: Russian Ship Stranded in Antarctica Stabilized (VIDEO)
Update: Icebreaker Reaches Damaged Russian Boat off Antarctica