A Russian fishing vessel which was rescued from pack ice in the Ross Sea this week, is now heading for New Zealand.
The Sparta was led to open water on Thursday by a Korean icebreaker, the Araon whose crew helped to repair a hole in its hull after it was pierced by ice early on 16 December.
Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre says the Sparta rendezvoused with a sister ship, the Chiyo Maru 3 on Thursday night to transfer fuel and provisions.
The centre says it will continue to monitor the Sparta, which is now sailing to New Zealand for permanent repairs.
