Environmental fears rise as crippled ship drifts off Antarctica

A Japanese whaling ship crippled by fire drifted off the world’s largest penguin breeding grounds today, and New Zealand alerted other countries it may need help if the vessel leaked oil into the pristine Antarctic waters.

One crew member was missing from the 8,000-ton Nisshin Maru, which was starting to list from water pumped aboard to fight the fire. The fire, though contained below decks, continued to burn, said New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter.