An RNZAF Hercules is to take more equipment to the crew of the Russian fishing ship Sparta, stuck in ice in the Ross Sea nearly 4000km south-east of New Zealand.
Ice tore a 30cm hole in the ship's side early on Friday morning .
The 48-metre vessel is listing 13 degrees and still taking on water.
The Sparta crew sent a mayday call on Friday. The 32 crew are still on board and are continuing to pump water from the vessel.
The New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre says the Sparta is still in a precarious position and cannot move until the hole is repaired properly.
The Hercules C130 will leave Christchurch about 8am on Wednesday on a seven hour flight to drop pumps, fuel and patches so the crew can mend the hole in the vessel's side.
New Zealand search and rescue officials are still keeping an eye on the weather conditions and have asked a number of nearby vessels to help the Sparta.
However the closest ice-strengthened vessel, the polar research ship the Araon, is still six days away.
An RNZAF Hercules dropped off a pump, pipes and other equipment and fuel on Saturday.
