A helicopter will be deployed to rescue the stranded passengers of a cruise ship trapped in Antarctica. This is after three icebreakers attempt failed.
The passengers of the ship stranded on Christmas Day include 52 tourists, explorers and scientists, and 22 crew men. The MV AkademikShokalskiy left New Zealand’s harbour November this year and the voyage was made to commemorate Australian explorer Douglas Mawson’s 100th year anniversary of reaching the Antarctic region. The ship got stranded at about 1,500 miles south of Tasmania because of the massive ice blocking its way and not because of any ship damage.
According to the USA Today, the latest rescue ship deployed was the Aurora Austalis, an icebreaker from Australia. According to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the rescue ship is in constant communication with the AkademikSholasky and that everyone aboard is safe and alive.
Aside from the Aurora Austalis, a Chinese ship called Snow Dragon deployed by the Royal Coast Guard of Australia is also in the periphery of the site to provide additional assistance if needed. The Chinese ship carries a helicopter which is ready to use in case the icebreaker fails to reach the stranded cruise ship.
The search and rescue efforts for the cruise ship officially began on Christmas morning. Rescue teams were immediately mobilized after the Britain Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre got the SOS message from the cruise ship which was sent via satellite.
The message and the following communication initiative were forwarded to RCC Australia which has the jurisdiction over the area.
Chris Turney, the expedition leader and professor of climate change from University of South Wales has been posting tweets and blogs about their trip. On Sunday, 4 p.m., Turney posted a tweet saying, “Wind picked and it's snowing as forecast for this am Good news: Aurora making attempt from E.”
However, this final attempt of the icebreaker failed due to poor weather.
"Weather conditions are unlikely to start improving until tomorrow and decisions related to carrying out the rescue may be made at short notice," the AMSA told RTE News.
The AMSA told the Associated Press, that the helicopter will be deployed before Wednesday to get the passengers. However, the crew plans to stay onboard until the ice melts.
