The Russian fishing vessel Sparta is seen in waters in the Ross Sea near Antarctica on Friday Dec. 16th, 2011. The fishing vessel with 32 crew members was taking on water near Antarctica on Friday. Heavy sea ice was hampering rescue efforts, and officials said it could be 4 or 5 days before anybody reaches the ship to try to rescue the crew. The 32 crew members aboard the fishing ship near have made progress stabilizing the vessel, and a plane is scheduled to drop them supplies. The vessel Sparta on Dec. 16th hit underwater ice, which tore a one foot (30 centimeter) hole in the hull and caused it to list at 13 degrees. |
