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Chinese helicopter set to evacuate stranded ship
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Most of the passengers and some crew stranded on a scientific expedition ship off Antarctica will be evacuated by a Chinese helicopter, weather permitting, Russia said yesterday.
The helicopter is based on China’s icebreaker Xuelong — or Snow Dragon — which has been taking part in the rescue effort.
“A decision has been reached to evacuate 52 passengers and four crew members by helicopter from China’s Xuelong ship, should the weather allow,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
Bad weather halted plans earlier yesterday to evacuate the MV Akademik Shokalskiy using the Xuelong’s helicopter.
The Russian-flagged MV Akademik Shokalskiy has been stuck on an ice field since last week with 74 people on board. The multinational passenger list includes scientists as well as tourists and crew.
Snow gusts that severely hampered visibility yesterday forced back an Australian icebreaker struggling to reach the scientific expedition ship.
Thick ice had earlier prevented both the Xuelong and a French icebreaker from reaching the stranded ship.
The Moscow statement said diplomats in Australia had received assurances from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy’s Russian captain that everybody on board the ship was safe.
“According to (the captain), all the crew and other members of the expedition are in good health,” the Russian ministry statement said.
“Neither their lives nor safety are under threat.”
Earlier yesterday, Australian icebreaker the Aurora Australis made it to within 10 nautical miles of the ship.
“The area where the MV Akademik Shokalskiy is beset by ice is experiencing winds of up to 30 knots and snow showers,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
“These conditions have resulted in poor visibility and made it difficult and unsafe for the Aurora Australis to continue today’s attempt to assist the MV Akademik Shokalskiy.”
The safety authority also said yesterday it was unsafe to attempt to launch the Xuelong’s helicopter at that time.
The ship has been stationary 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24.
Chris Turney, one of the leaders of the scientific expedition, said via Skype from the stranded ship that those on board were in good spirits.
“It’s Antarctica, we’re just taking it one day at a time,” he said.
The ship had been following in the Antarctic footsteps of Australian Sir Douglas Mawson and his 1911-1914 expedition.
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