Aussies to rescue as French face ice woes

AUSTRALIA’S Antarctic program has answered a call for help from the French following damage to one of its key vessels.

The L’Astrolabe is currently docked in Hobart and out of action with a suspected issue to its propeller shaft, rendering it unable to sail.

Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis will embark on a 20-day voyage early next month to deliver expeditioners, cargo and 250,000 litres of fuel to French Antarctic station Dumont d’Urville and French-Italian station Concordia.

The Aurora Australis is currently en route to Hobart and is expected to arrive earlier than scheduled at the end of the month. It will travel first to Macquarie Island and is expected to reach the French station on December 9 before returning to Hobart by December 20.

Australian Antarctic Division operations manager Robb Clifton said offering assistance to the French was in the spirit of Antarctic co-operation.

“The great thing about the Antarctic treaty system is that nations help each other out,’’ he said. “Antarctica is there for peace and science and we regularly collaborate with other countries.

“We know that we’ve been helped by a variety of Antarctic nations when we’ve needed assistance, and so we’re only too happy to help out the French in this instance.”

Director of the French Polar Institute, Jerome Chappellaz, said logistic support from the Australian program at short notice had saved their Antarctic summer field campaign.

“Without the support of the Australian Antarctic Division, keeping our research stations running and undertaking scientific research would have been extremely difficult,’’ he said.

Mr Clifton said assisting the French would require some changes to the Australian program’s shipping schedule.

But he said contingencies for this type of event were always factored in to the schedule.

The Australian Antarctic Division will also provide aviation support to the French program.

L’Astrolabe is usually used to bring personnel and supplies to French Antarctic stations.

It operates from Hobart during the Antarctic summer season.

The French Polar Institute is working to reorganise its summer season to ensure it can achieve as many scientific projects as possible.