Engine repairs free ice trawler

A US plane, which set off from New Zealand, delivered an engine part

A British trawler stuck in Antarctic ice for more than a week has been repaired and is set to resume fishing once its engine warms up, crew say.

A US air force plane was called in to drop a piston to the Argos Georgia, with an icebreaker due to deliver extra parts shortly.

A number of British fishermen are among the 25 crew on board the ship, which lost its power in the Ross Sea.

Fish master Shane Jennings said the ship would soon "be back up to steam".

He had earlier said he was "extremely relieved" that they would be able to free themselves, having been stranded since 23 December.

'Boring' experience

Describing how it felt to be stuck in the remote region, he said: "It has been okay - a bit boring for the crew but it's just part of the job.

"We have just been on watch, keeping an eye on the ice and making sure we are not running into any danger, or watching videos and playing cards."

Quick action was needed and versatile airpower was the response Lt Gen Loyd S "Chip" Utterback

New Zealand, which is responsible for co-ordinating rescues in the area and has a research base there, called on US assistance as other options would have taken too long.

The New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre said the crew were not in any immediate danger, and the ship should be able to continue fishing.

The US Air Force C-17 Globemaster dropped an engine part from about 120 metres (400 feet) above the ship.

Lt Gen Loyd S "Chip" Utterback, of the 13th Air Force and Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, who is Operation Deep Freeze commander, said the "unforgiving climate" meant there was "the potential for this to become a life-or-death situation".

"Quick action was needed and versatile airpower was the response," he said.

The ship is registered in St Helena and owned by Argos Holdings based in the Falkland Islands.

Along with the Britons, crew members include New Zealanders, South Africans, Spanish and Russians.