Authorities in Solomon Islands are assessing how to rescue dozens of people stranded on the vessel MV Awka, that has lost power and is drifting at sea.
The Temotu Provincial Government on Sunday provided an update on the ongoing search and rescue operation involving the vessel.
The vessel issued a distress signal on Friday when its engine stopped working while travelling from Anuta to Vanikoro in Temotu Province, with more than 70 passengers, crew members, and officers on board.
The government said significant progress has made in delivering emergency supplies to the vessel via vessels and aircraft belonging to other countries.
A French military aircraft arrived at the location of the MV Akwa on Saturday evening, dropping essential relief supplies into the sea near the vessel with the help of pilot chutes-small parachutes used to deliver supplies from aircraft.
An Australian Challenger aircraft is also reported to have delivered essential supplies, including drinking water, food and medicine, to those on board.
The Temotu government said further maritime assistance is being mobilised to support the safe rescue of all passengers.
It said a "final operational plan is to be determined by the rescue operators at the scene after assessing the situation, including the prevailing swells, rough seas, weather conditions, vessel positions, and the safety of the passengers and rescue personnel".
The government said the immediate priority was assessing the feasibility of safely transferring passengers from the MV Awkwa to other vessels before considering the towing the ship to a safe harbour.