Five crew rescued from cyclone-battered Wunma in Gulf

<p>Updated at 2.38 pm</p> <p>A helicopter has rescued five crew members from the stricken transport vessel <em>Wunma</em> , caught in Cyclone Nelson in the Gulf of Carpentaria.</p> <p>The crew were picked up from the vessel about 1100 hrs today (Wednesday, February 7) after first calling for help late last night when the vessel began taking water.</p> <p>The rescued crew members were reportedly safe and well.</p> <p>The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the remaining five crew members, due to be picked up by a second helicopter this afternoon, were in no immediate danger.</p> <p>A Chinese bulk carrier, <em>Eastern Star</em> , was also waiting five miles away on standby to take the crew aboard.</p> <p>Maritime Safety Queensland is assisting the Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra with the rescue effort.</p> <p>Zinifex said late this morning that conditions had improved to a level where its non-essential crew could be evacuated by helicopter.</p> <p>The crew sent a distress signal to rescue authorities at 0545 hrs, when the barge &#8211 with an estimated $19m cargo of zinc concentrate &#8211 was listing in the heavy seas.</p> <p>The 5,140 dwt, 1999-built vessel was taking on water and was without power and communications after being battered by category two Cyclone Nelson overnight.</p> <p>An attempt by an Australian Search and Rescue aircraft to drop pumps to the <em>Wunma</em> was unsuccessful &#8211 the pumps fell in the sea and the crew was unable to recover them.</p> <table width="306" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="right" height="221"> <tr> <td width="332" height="10"><div align="center">