Crew stabilizes leaky Russian boat near Antarctica (AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand ? The 32 crew members aboard a leaking Russian fishing ship near Antarctica have made progress stabilizing the vessel, and a plane is scheduled to drop them supplies.

The vessel Sparta on Friday hit underwater ice, which tore a one-foot (30 centimeter) hole in the hull and caused it to list at 13 degrees. Maritime New Zealand, which is coordinating rescue attempts, said in a statement Saturday the crew had pumped water from the vessel overnight and moved cargo about, making the boat safer and more stable.

Crew members who had donned emergency suits and boarded life rafts were now back aboard the Sparta, the agency said.

A New Zealand Defence Force C-130 plane is scheduled to drop fuel and equipment to the vessel later in the day.

Rescue ships, hampered by heavy sea ice, are still several days away from the vessel.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111216/ap_on_re_as/as_new_zealand_stricken_ship

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