The Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis has been refloated near Antarctica's Mawson research station after grounding earlier this week during a blizzard. The Australian Antarctic Division confirms that as of late Friday the ship is free from the rocks and all expeditioners have been transferred from the vessel. The Aurora Australis grounded near the station in … [Read more...]
Australian Icebreaker Still Aground in Antarctica
Australia's most powerful icebreaker Aurora Australis remains aground in Antarctica near Mawson station after the ship broke free from its moorings during a blizzard on Wednesday. All 68 expeditioners and crew remain on board and are safe and well, an update from Australia's Antarctic Division said. The expeditioners are expected to be transferred … [Read more...]
Blizzard Forces Aurora Australis Icebreaker Aground in Antarctica
Update: Australian Icebreaker Still Aground in Antarctica Australia's flagship icebreaker Aurora Australis has run aground in Antarctica after it breaking free from its moorings at the Mawson station during a blizzard. The Australian Antarctic Division reports that a total of 67 passengers and crew on board are safe and the ship remains watertight with damage to the hull … [Read more...]
Cracking Ice Bodes Well For Antarctic Ship Rescue
By Morag MacKinnon PERTH, Australia, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Ice that has trapped a Russian ship with 74 people on board in Antarctica appeared to be cracking up on Sunday, raising hopes for a rescue as a powerful Australian icebreaker approached the stranded vessel. The ice-bound ship, the Akademik Shokalskiy, left New Zealand on Nov. 28 on a privately funded expedition to … [Read more...]
Icebreakers Rush To Help Ship Trapped In Antarctic Ice – UPDATE
Update (December 27, 2013) - The first of three icebreakers tasked with freeing a Russian expedition ship with 74 people onboard near Antarctica is within a few miles of the vessel. An update late Friday (AEDT) said that the first icebreaker, a Chinese icebreaker called Snow Dragon, was within 15 nautical miles from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy as of 6:30 pm AEDT. A second … [Read more...]
Australian Icebreaker Beset in Heavy Pack Ice
The Australian Antarctic Division reports today that their icebreaker Aurora Australis is currently beset by heavy pack ice 180 nautical miles from Davis station in Antarctica. Their current location is 65° 18' S, 80° 19' E. Wind and sea temperatures in the area are the same, hovering at around -1.8 degrees C. Ice reconnaissance aircraft from Davis report 60 miles of … [Read more...]