DATE: 13 December 2010 TIME: 3.30pm

Rescue underway following Korean fishing vessel sinking

Twenty survivors have been recovered from a Korean fishing vessel that sunk in the Southern Ocean early today, while a further five crew have been found dead and 17 are still reported missing.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) was advised about 1pm today of the sinking of the Korean owned and operated No.1 In Sung, which reportedly sunk at 6.30am, about 1000 nautical miles (1850km) North of McMurdo base – or 2,700km South East of Bluff – inside New Zealand’s search and rescue region.

The vessel is a 58 metre long-liner. The 20 survivors and 5 deceased are on board the fishing vessel No. 707 Hongjin.

It is not known at this stage what caused the vessel to sink or why no distress communication was received prior to it sinking.

RCCNZ has called on nearby vessels in the area who are assisting in the search. This includes the New Zealand fishing vessels Antarctic Chieftain and the Janus. Three Korean fishing vessels are also helping.

A Royal New Zealand Airforce Orion may also be sent to help in the search, but its estimated time of arrival would be at least 8 hours from the time of leaving New Zealand

Weather conditions in the area consist of light westerly 10 knots, and a one metre swell. Sea temperature is 2 degrees Celsius. Survival times in the water are about 10 minutes without lifejackets or immersion suits.

No further information is available at this stage.

ENDS

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