MV Blythe Star discovered off Tasmanian coast after sinking in 1973

A ship that capsized and killed three crew members has been found at the bottom of the ocean 50 years after the tragic incident. 

The MV Blythe Star was making a routine trip from Hobart to King Island when it suddenly capsized and sank off the Tasmanian coast.

Three crew members died in the days after the October 13, 1973, incident as the seven survivors waited nearly two weeks to be rescued from an inflatable raft.

A ship that capsized and killed three crew members has been found at the bottom of the ocean 50 years after the tragic incident

No trace of the vessel was found for decades, despite a significant maritime search.

Researchers from the CSIRO and the University of Tasmania uncovered the MV Blythe Star shipwreck about 10.5 kilometres west of Tasmania's South West Cape.

The group were studying a submarine landslide when they made the discovery last month, using mapping data and video imagery to confirm it was the MV Blythe Star.

Algae and seaweed was found wrapped around the vessel, with some damage to the ship and the wheelhouse missing. 

The CSIRO said it was pleased to confirm the vessel's final resting place, bringing closure to the 50-year mystery.

The tragedy led to important maritime laws in Australia, which has significantly improved safety at sea.

The MV Blythe Star was a small freighter vessel that operated around Tasmania, the surrounding islands and along the Bass Strait. 

It had been carrying fertiliser and kegs of beer and was headed towards King Island on the day of its ill-fated voyage.

Water began to flood the boat to the surprise of crew before the vessel sank to the bottom of the ocean. 

Ten crew members on board managed to escape on an inflatable life raft but three of them died before they were found 12 days later.

George Cruickshank, Kenneth Jones, John Eagles, John Sloan, Stan Leary, Malcolm McCarroll, Cliff Langford, Lenton Power, Alfred Simpson and Michael Doleman were the men onboard. 

The MV Blythe Star was making a routine trip from Hobart to King Island when it suddenly capsized and sank off the Tasmanian coast

Mr Doleman was the youngest crew member on board at the time and was only 18.

He is the last surviving member of the wreckage and recalled the moment he heard the ship had been found.

'When I heard they found it, I was just blow away,' he said.

'Overall it was pretty intact, especially the propeller and the rudder. It is in pretty good nick actually, considering its journey.'  

Mr Cruickshank was the captain of the vessel and said shortly after the incident the sinking of the ship was totally unexpected.

'All seemed well, with nothing out of the ordinary. It was fine weather - beautiful weather. Suddenly there was a lurch,' he said.

'I thought, "That's funny". Next thing I knew she was lying over on her starboard side".' 

It is understood the vessel had been overloaded with cargo, which prompted it to sink in the water. 

The sinking of the ship prompted the largest maritime search operation ever conducted in Australia at the time.