Air drop of fuel and water pump for stranded trawler crew

Aircraft from the New Zealand Defence Force have dropped emergency supplies to the crew of a stricken fishing vessel, trapped in ice near Antarctica.

The 32-strong crew of the Russian registered Sparta was marooned on Friday after sea ice tore through the hull of its vessel. Fuel and equipment, including a water pump, are intended to help the crew survive in near sub-zero conditions.

A rescue vessel is still three days away.