Antarctic rescue underway

Helicopter arrives at ice-bound Antarctic ship, rescue operation underway

The rescue of passengers of the stranded, Russian ship Akademik Shokalsky has started, as a Chinese helicopter reached the stranded crew. The operation follows several failed evacuation attempts.

 

This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica (AFP Photo / Andrew Peacock)

RT,

2 January, 2014

Fifty-two scientists and tourists are to be transferred by helicopter to a Chinese ship, 7 miles away from the Shokalsky. The operation is to consist of seven 45-minute long trips, as the helicopter can take 12 passengers at a time. The plan is to then transport them 2 miles by barge to the Australian icebreaker, the Aurora.

Twenty-two members of the Shokalsky’s crew will stay with the vessel, which is not believed to be in danger.

Chris Turney @ProfChrisTurney

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The Chinese helicopter has arrived @ the Shokalskiy. It's 100% we're off! A huge thanks to all. 

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youtube.com/watch?v=_13rQB

XKa0A

… #spiritofmawson

6:49 PM - 2 Jan 2014

The rescue operation now under way was preceded by three failed attempts by icebreakers to make their way to the stranded Akademik Shokalsky.

The Russian ship, with 74 people on board, left New Zealand Nov. 28 for a privately-funded research expedition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of an Antarctic journey led by Australian explorer Douglas Mawson. The ship was scheduled to return to New Zealand on Jan. 4.

The Shokalsky crew’s plan to visit inaccessible Antarctic huts eventually resulted in it being trapped in thick ice on Christmas Eve.