Rescue plan for ship trapped in ice

A helicopter evacuation is the only option left to rescue people on board the Russian ship stuck in Antarctica as bad weather continues to prevent icebreakers reaching it.

The Aurora Australis attempted to reach the Akademik Shokalskiy on Monday but was driven back into open waters because of winds of up to 30 knots and snow showers that limited visibility, Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Lisa Martin said.

A helicopter on board the Chinese- flagged ship Xue Long, which attempted an initial rescue, would now be used to rescue the passengers from the Akademik Shokalskiy.

The rescue would be a complex operation involving several steps and subject to factors such as the weather, Ms Martin said. The helicopter was unable to fly in present weather conditions, and would hold off on the rescue until conditions improved.

The weather was unlikely to improve today and decisions related to the rescue might be made at short notice, she said.

A landing area for the helicopter has been marked on ice near the Akademik Shokalskiy in preparation for the rescue.

All 52 passengers would leave the ship, but the 22 crew members would remain on board for now. The passengers would be rescued by helicopter in groups of 12 and transported to the Xue Long before transfer to the Aurora Australis.