A ship carrying three survivors and the bodies of seven crew members from a Spanish fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Newfoundland arrived in St. John's on Saturday.

The Playa Menduina Dos sailed Saturday morning into St. John's harbour, where the bodies of the deceased were loaded off the vessel by crane and into awaiting hearses. Canadian customs officers were seen boarding the ship.

Early Tuesday morning, the Villa de Pitanxo fishing vessel sank in heavy seas off the coast of Newfoundland. Among the surviving crew members are the ship's 53-year-old skipper and his 42-year-old nephew, according to Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia.

The three survivors were found on a life-raft in the water. The bodies of nine crew members were found after the ship sank.

Of the 24 crew members, 12 were still missing when the search was called off Thursday.

Stephen Waller, the acting regional supervisor of maritime search and rescue of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, said Tuesday's search was hampered by harsh weather and high waves.

Waller said the surviving crew members had hypothermia, but did not require medical attention.

Another vessel, the Maersk Nexus, arrived Friday in St. John's carrying two deceased crew members.

The cause of Tuesday's accident has not been determined. The RCMP have said the investigation is outside its jurisdiction.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has told CBC News that Spain is responsible for the tragedy's investigation.

Of the 24 crew members, 16 were from Spain, five were from Peru, and three were from Ghana.

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