Time running out to save icebreaker from scrapyard

THE clock is ticking for a newly-formed foundation to raise millions of dollars to spare the Aurora Australis from the scrapheap and turn it into a floating Antarctic museum.

The iconic icebreaker, which was launched in 1989, embarked on its final voyage earlier this year, and now its owner is trying to offload it.

P&O Maritime would not say if a deadline had been set to find a new owner, but said a solution had to be found within “a very short time frame”.

The recently-formed Aurora Australis Foundation proposes the ship be converted into an Antarctic museum.

The 95-metre Class 1A icebreaker has had an illustrious career, carrying thousands of scientists and expeditioners.

The foundation said it would cost $1.43 million to buy the ship from P&O, which was the vessel’s scrap metal value.

About $3 million must be raised from public and private sources, not only to purchase the ship but pay for its upkeep in the short to medium term.

Foundation chair Michael Stoddart said Hobartians felt a sense of ownership of the iconic ship.

“It’s certainly won a place in the hearts of most people and this is where it belongs,’’ he said.

Mr Stoddart said the foundation faced a huge challenge to save the vessel from the scrapyard before the end of June, but they were giving it their best.

Australian Antarctic Festival director Paul Cullen said the potential demise of the vessel would be “giving away a piece of Antarctic heritage”.

Mr Cullen said the proposal for an on-board Antarctic museum would be a major drawcard, and had the potential to be “as big as Mona”.

Federal Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, called on P&O to delay making a decision on the future of the ship.

P&O said it was financially unsustainable to keep the ship berthed in Hobart, adding that dismantling it was a “last resort” and would be carried out “with a heavy heart”.