A British navy frigate with 200 crew on board sent out a distress call after hitting a rock in heavy seas off the coast of southeast Australia, authorities said today.
The HMS Nottinghamtook on water and suffered steering problems after striking the rock about two kilometers (1.2 miles) east of Lord Howe Island, 820 kilometers (480 miles) northeast of Sydney, a spokesman with the Australian maritime search and rescue office said.
"There were some concerns for the stability of the vessel but the crew managed to stabilize it and are waiting for morning to assess the situation," the spokesman said.
He said there were no injuries aboard and that the ship was not in danger of sinking.
The HMS Nottinghamwas anchored just off Lord Howe Island and an Australian Hercules transport aircraft is to fly pumping equipment, salvage workers and navy divers from the mainland to the ship.
AFP
