Human remains have been found on the wreck of the British trawler Gaulwhich sank off Norway in 1974, it emerged today.
Deputy British Prime Minister Mr John Prescott launched a Government-funded underwater survey of the vessel last year to try to ascertain the fate of the Gauland its crew.
The BBC reported that remote controlled robots operating from a survey vessel had found a human thigh bone and are now exploring the sleeping quarters.
All 36 crew were lost when the Hull-registered vessel went down off Norway.
The discovery of human remains on board may bring some comfort to the families of the crew who have never been certain what happened to their loved ones, but the results of DNA tests on the remains are not expected for several months.
Rumours have persisted for years that the Gaulwas involved in espionage and that the then Soviet Union may have been responsible for the sinking.
When the Gaulwent down in February 1974, there was no distress message and the only wreckage recovered was a small buoy.
A formal investigation was held later in 1974. This concluded that the vessel capsized and foundered in heavy seas. But the investigation found no direct evidence of how the tragedy occurred.
In August 1997, an expedition funded by UK and Norwegian television companies discovered the wreck of the Gauland a documentary film was later shown on Channel 4.
This prompted Mr Prescott to announce that the British government would undertake a new survey of the wreck, which was completed in August 1998.
Mr Prescott then announced his intention to reopen the formal investigation into the sinking.
Launching the survey in May 2001, Mr Prescott said: "I have authorised the survey in order to remove any lingering doubts about the fate of the Gaul. I hope this will bring some comfort to the families who have suffered such uncertainty for so long."
PA