Copter rescue for ship trapped in ice

Antarctica: More than 50 passengers airlifted

Ahelicopter has rescued all 52 passengers from the research ship trapped in Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve after weather conditions finally cleared enough for the operation.

A helicopter carried the scientists and tourists from the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy in groups of 12 to an Australian icebreaker, said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which oversaw the rescue.

The Aurora Australis will now take the passengers to the Australian island state of Tasmania, a journey expected to last two weeks.

“I think everyone is relieved and excited to be goingonto the Australian icebreaker and then home,” said expedition leader Chris Turney.

All 22 crew members stayed with their icebound vessel, which is not in danger of sinking and has weeks’ worth of supplies on board. They will wait until the ice that has paralysed the ship breaks up.

The eagerly anticipated rescue came after days of failed attempts to reach the vessel. Blinding snow, strong winds, fog and thick sea ice forced rescuers to turn back.

Three icebreakers were dispatched to try and crack their way through the ice surrounding the ship, but all failed.

The Aurora came within 20kilometres (12miles) of the ship on Monday, but fierce winds and snow forced it to retreat to open water.

The Akademik Shokalskiy, which l ef t New Zealand on November 28, got stuck after a blizzard pushed the sea ice around the ship, freezing it in place about 2,700 kilometres (1,700 miles) south of Hobart, Tasmania.

The scientific team on board had been recreating Australian explorer Douglas Mawson’s 1911 to 1913 voyage to Antarctica.

Mr Turney had hoped to continue the trip if an icebreaker managed to free the ship.