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Antarctic rescue abandoned again as sea ice closes in Antarctic rescue abandoned again as sea ice closes in
(about 1 hour later)
The latest rescue mission for scientists, tourists and journalists on a ship trapped in ice off Antarctica has again been postponed.The latest rescue mission for scientists, tourists and journalists on a ship trapped in ice off Antarctica has again been postponed.
A two-stage rescue had been planned for Thursday with a helicopter rescuing 52 of the passengers on Akademik Shokalskiy and taking them to the Chinese ship Xue Long before transferring them to another ship, Aurora Australis, on a barge in a 36-hour window of decent weather.A two-stage rescue had been planned for Thursday with a helicopter rescuing 52 of the passengers on Akademik Shokalskiy and taking them to the Chinese ship Xue Long before transferring them to another ship, Aurora Australis, on a barge in a 36-hour window of decent weather.
However, sea ice has prevented the barge from the Aurora Australis, where the passengers would ultimately be transferred, being able to get close to Xue Long.However, sea ice has prevented the barge from the Aurora Australis, where the passengers would ultimately be transferred, being able to get close to Xue Long.
The helicopter component of the rescue was to consist of seven 45-minute round trips to collect 12 passengers at a time and then their equipment and luggage.The helicopter component of the rescue was to consist of seven 45-minute round trips to collect 12 passengers at a time and then their equipment and luggage.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority released a statement saying the safest option was to do the rescue mission in one operation.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority released a statement saying the safest option was to do the rescue mission in one operation.
“AMSA understands that current sea ice conditions prevent the barge from Aurora Australis from reaching the Chinese vessel Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and a rescue may not be possible today,” a spokeswoman said.“AMSA understands that current sea ice conditions prevent the barge from Aurora Australis from reaching the Chinese vessel Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and a rescue may not be possible today,” a spokeswoman said.
“The Xue Long’s helicopter is unable to land on the Aurora Australis due to load rating restrictions. It is not safe to land the helicopter next to Aurora Australis at this time.“The Xue Long’s helicopter is unable to land on the Aurora Australis due to load rating restrictions. It is not safe to land the helicopter next to Aurora Australis at this time.
“The preferred and safest option at this stage is to ultimately transfer the passengers onto Aurora Australis.”“The preferred and safest option at this stage is to ultimately transfer the passengers onto Aurora Australis.”
Fairfax Media, which has a journalist on the Aurora Australis, reported that the Xue Long was itself stuck.Fairfax Media, which has a journalist on the Aurora Australis, reported that the Xue Long was itself stuck.
AMSA said on Twitter the Xue Long had not requested assistance nor issued a distress call.AMSA said on Twitter the Xue Long had not requested assistance nor issued a distress call.
Guardian journalist Alok Jha, who is on the Akademik Shokalskiy, said the mood was subdued but optimistic and people had kept themselves busy with movies, making Russian dumplings in the kitchen and even staging a mini writers’ festival.
“If there is any anger/upset etc I haven't seen any,” he said in an email.
“I imagine some people have had private moments of anxiety or frustration but there's no feeling of threat or any worry about danger. No one seems scared.”
Jha said the weather was lovely on Thursday with the sun coming out, the temperature rising to 2C and low wind.
“You can see all the way to the horizon, beautiful white ice sheet all around. Icebergs off in the distance,” he said.
Some of the passengers held a writers’ festival on the ice in the morning to keep themselves entertained.
The group set up a tent and people read out diary entries, stories and things that had changed their life on the trip, with a focus on their impressions of Antarctica.
“That was great, and moving too, lots of interesting reflection,” Jha said.
“This group of people have definitely got to know each other well and grown closer. It was a muted, thoughtful morning.”
The Akademik Shokalskiy became stuck in thick pack ice on Christmas Eve and the Aurora Australis and Xue Long, which are both ice breakers, had to abandon attempts to reach the trapped ship.The Akademik Shokalskiy became stuck in thick pack ice on Christmas Eve and the Aurora Australis and Xue Long, which are both ice breakers, had to abandon attempts to reach the trapped ship.
An attempt on New Year’s Day to evacuate the passengers by helicopter was also abandoned because of heavy rain, strong winds and cloud.An attempt on New Year’s Day to evacuate the passengers by helicopter was also abandoned because of heavy rain, strong winds and cloud.
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