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