Uncertain wait for passengers trapped in Antarctic
Print Edition
Passengers on a Russian research ship trapped in thick Antarctic ice are facing an uncertain wait for one last icebreaking attempt with no guarantee of success.
The MV Akademik Shokalskiy has been marooned by heavy ice since Tuesday about 100 nautical miles east of the French Antarctic base of Dumont d’Urville, with two icebreaking ships so far failing in attempts to reach it.
China’s Snow Dragon came tantalisingly close on Saturday, getting to within six-and-a-half nautical miles of the vessel carrying 74 scientists, tourists and crew before impenetrable ice forced it to turn back.
The Australian government’s resupply ship Aurora Australis is now en route to make one final bid to free the icebound boat.
“If the Aurora Australis is not capable of getting through the ice, then we will look at utilizing the helicopter on board the Chinese vessel (the Snow Dragon) which AMSA’s rescue coordination center has tasked to remain in the vicinity,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
The Snow Dragon’s helicopter did a reconnaissance flight over the site yesterday to determine the best approach route for the Australian icebreaker and returned with promising news of the ice conditions improving.
Those on board the ship also reported an easing in the ice, with BBC journalist Andrew Luck-Baker saying “big cracks appearing way towards the horizon.”
“Pools of water are beginning to open up and we’re just wondering whether this is our lucky break,” Luck-Baker said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Aurora Australis has the highest icebreaking rate of the three vessels initially sent to the Akademik’s rescue, which also included France’s L’Astrolabe.
It can cut ice up to 1.6 meters thick, but the Akademik is estimated to be surrounded by ice of up to four meters.
Expedition co-leader Greg Mortimer said contingency plans had been made to evacuate the Akademik using the Snow Dragon’s helicopter to ferry passengers off the ice to other ships.
Despite the uncertainty of their plight the ship’s passengers are reported to be in good spirits, passing the time with board games, watching films and photographing passing penguins.
The group, which includes Australians, Britons and New Zealanders, became stuck when unexpected weather forced their ship into heavy ice.
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