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Antarctic ship: New bid to free vessel trapped in ice Antarctic ship: New bid to free vessel trapped in ice
(about 17 hours later)
An Australian vessel is en route to East Antarctica in a renewed bid to free a scientific mission ship trapped in dense pack ice since Tuesday. An Australian vessel has arrived in East Antarctica in a renewed bid to free a scientific mission ship trapped in dense pack ice since Tuesday.
The rescue boat made contact with the Russian Academician Shokalskiy on Sunday evening, confirming it was trying to reach the vessel.
Earlier rescue attempts by Chinese and French icebreakers were foiled by the thick ice.Earlier rescue attempts by Chinese and French icebreakers were foiled by the thick ice.
However, a BBC correspondent on the Russian research vessel says big cracks have appeared, raising hopes that it may even be able to move on its own. Seventy-four scientists, tourists and crew are on the Shokalskiy.
Seventy-four scientists, tourists and crew are on the Academician Shokalskiy.
The vessel is being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition to follow the route explorer Douglas Mawson travelled a century ago.The vessel is being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition to follow the route explorer Douglas Mawson travelled a century ago.
The Shokalskiy remains well stocked with food and is in no danger, according to the team.The Shokalskiy remains well stocked with food and is in no danger, according to the team.
Despite being trapped, the scientists have continued their experiments, measuring temperature and salinity through cracks in the surrounding ice.Despite being trapped, the scientists have continued their experiments, measuring temperature and salinity through cracks in the surrounding ice.
Unpredictable weatherUnpredictable weather
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which is coordinating the rescue, said the Aurora Australis was expected to reach the trapped research ship on Sunday around 12:00 GMT. Expedition member Chris Turney said the Aurora Australis was attempting to get to the Shokalskiy, in a ovideo message posted online on Sunday evening.
The powerful icebreaker can cut ice up to 1.6m (5.2ft) thick - potentially still enough to plough through the estimated three-metre wall surrounding the Shokalskiy. He said winds had picked up and it was snowing again.
The powerful Australian icebreaker can cut ice up to 1.6m (5.2ft) thick, but it is uncertain whether it will be able to plough through the estimated three-metre wall surrounding the Shokalskiy.
If this latest relief operation fails, passengers could be winched to safety by a helicopter on board the Chinese icebreaker, which had to abort its rescue mission on Saturday.If this latest relief operation fails, passengers could be winched to safety by a helicopter on board the Chinese icebreaker, which had to abort its rescue mission on Saturday.
The Snow Dragon came within seven nautical miles (11 km) of the Russian ship before stalling and being forced to return to the open sea.The Snow Dragon came within seven nautical miles (11 km) of the Russian ship before stalling and being forced to return to the open sea.
The BBC's Andrew Luck-Baker, who is part of the expedition, said the helicopter flew around the Shokalskiy on Sunday to see if the Snow Dragon could launch another attempt to break through the ice.The BBC's Andrew Luck-Baker, who is part of the expedition, said the helicopter flew around the Shokalskiy on Sunday to see if the Snow Dragon could launch another attempt to break through the ice.
Our correspondent says a change in wind direction and slightly warmer temperatures have caused the ice to break and formed pools of water. Our correspondent said a change in wind direction and slightly warmer temperatures had caused the ice to crack and formed pools of water.
But he also warns that conditions could worsen again because of the Antarctica's extremely unpredictable weather. But he warned conditions could worsen again because of the Antarctica's extremely unpredictable weather.
The Shokalskiy was trapped on Christmas Day by thick sheets of ice, driven by strong winds, about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart - the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania.The Shokalskiy was trapped on Christmas Day by thick sheets of ice, driven by strong winds, about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart - the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania.
Science volunteer Sean Borkovic earlier told the BBC: "I'll always remember this, that's for sure. It's brilliant. We've got some lovely light and the weather's pretty mild considering. The ship looks solid. I think we'll be good."Science volunteer Sean Borkovic earlier told the BBC: "I'll always remember this, that's for sure. It's brilliant. We've got some lovely light and the weather's pretty mild considering. The ship looks solid. I think we'll be good."
A visit from Secret Santa and a sumptuous Christmas dinner contributed to the mood of optimism.A visit from Secret Santa and a sumptuous Christmas dinner contributed to the mood of optimism.
The goal of the modern-day Australasian Antarctic Expedition is to repeat many of the original measurements and studies of the Mawson expedition to see how facets of the environment have changed over the past century.The goal of the modern-day Australasian Antarctic Expedition is to repeat many of the original measurements and studies of the Mawson expedition to see how facets of the environment have changed over the past century.