Norwegian confident of safe return from Antarctica

A Norwegian adventurer who defied authorities and headed to Antarctica is confident he will return safely.

Jarle Andhoy and the crew of the Nilaya set sail from Auckland last month, aiming to retrace the steps of a previous expedition that made headlines last year when three support crew members died.

He and companion Samuel Massie had attempted to cross the South Pole on quadbikes but the trip turned to disaster when the waiting support yacht Berserk sank in McMurdo Sound.

Mr Andhoy failed to get permission to undertake both expeditions.

He and his crew face a possible $100,000 fine for sailing to New Zealand's Ross Dependency without a passport or official clearance.

Mr Andhoy said today that they had yet to find any sign of the Berserk or its crew, and would search another two locations before leaving.

The Nilaya crew, including New Zealander Busby Noble, would lay flowers on the ice in respect of the missing crew, he told National Radio.

"Busby Noble is a good friend of the missing seamen and has put his heart and soul into this," Mr Andhoy said.

"He will be leading the ceremony today in Maori tradition. He will put down the flowers that he has been given in New Zealand and some words from friends and relatives back home."

Mr Andhoy was aware the crew must leave the Ross Sea before it is too late in the season and sea ice becomes a serious issue but was confident the crew would make it out safely.

"At this point it is still very good ice conditions, good state of sea ice. The most important thing for any expedition is to come home to mum. And so it is for us and it is for Berserk and its missing crew members."