Three Kiwis trapped in Antarctica
Three New Zealanders are believed to be on board a ship trapped in the Antarctic in thick ice.
About 50 passengers, mostly Australian scientists and tourists, are on board the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, which is locked in ice near Commonwealth Bay. The crew of 20 is believed to be Russian.
The New Zealanders thought to be on board are ornithologist Kerry-Jayne Wilson, a former Lincoln University lecturer who now lives on the West Coast, and two caterers, including Central Otago woman Nicole Kerr, from Omakau.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) was alerted to a distress message sent via satellite from the vessel about 9.20am (NZ time) yesterday.
Australian expedition leader Chris Turney, speaking via satellite phone, told The Press that passengers were enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner while they waited to be freed from the ice. The ship had been stuck since Christmas Eve, he said.
Turney said the ship was not drifting and he hoped a change in weather might help free it.
‘‘But Antarctica being as it is, you’re never quite sure.’’
He said being trapped in the ice was ‘‘a bit of a bother’’ but it gave everyone a chance to enjoy Christmas.
An Amsa spokeswoman told AAP three ships capable of icebreaking had been sent to assist but would take at least two days to reach them.
‘‘It’s in quite a remote part of the world,’’ she said. ‘‘But we have everyone safe. The vessel isn’t in any immediate danger.’’
The ship was being used for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, which departed from Bluff on November 28. The expedition visited several of the subantarctic islands before returning to Bluff on December 7, leaving next day for Antarctica.
The privately funded expedition was to return to Mawson’s Huts in Antarctica. The huts had been inaccessible for many years because of an iceberg.
Turney said the group had expected to return to Bluff on January 4 or 5.