Crew on the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long are concerned about 'their ability to move through heavy ice in the area'

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

The Aurora Australis, currently carrying passengers rescued from a stricken Antarctic research vessel, has been told to stand by for a potential second rescue mission, this time for the other icebreaker ship involved in the first rescue.

The Chinese icebreaker Xue Long notified rescue authorities that its crew was concerned about “their ability to move through heavy ice in the area”, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said on Friday afternoon.

As a precaution, the Aurora Australis was placed on standby and told to stay in open water for the time being.

“The Xue Long has advised RCC Australia that it will attempt to manoeuvre through the ice when tidal conditions are most suitable during the early hours of 4 January 2014. There is no immediate danger to personnel on board the Xue Long,” said Amsa.

Earlier on Thursday, Amsa confirmed that all 52 passengers, including tourists, scientists and journalists, on board the research vessel, the Akademik Shokalskiy, had been rescued.

The Akademik Shokalskiy became stuck in the Antarctic ice on Christmas Eve and the two icebreakers, the Aurora Australis and the Xue Long, have been trying in vain to reach it.

On Thursday afternoon a helicopter sent from the Xue Long landed next to the ship and began evacuating passengers, dropping them on sea ice next to the Aurora Australis 14 nautical miles away. Five flights were made, carrying all non-crew and their luggage.

“Aurora Australis advised Amsa that helicopter operations had been completed at about 10.45pm AEDT and all passengers, luggage and equipment had been transferred,” Amsa said in a statement.

The acting director of the Australian Antarctic division of the department of environment, Jason Mundy, said the rescue was carried out without a hitch and it was a relief to have all passengers on board the Aurora Australis.

“The passengers seem very glad to now be with us and they are settling into their new accommodation. There are sufficient berths on the ship for the extra passengers and preparations have been made to ensure we can look after them well for this final part of their journey,” he said.

The “quite difficult” rescue was complicated by changing weather and ice conditions and passengers not trained for the complex situation, but it was not the most remote ever conducted by Amsa, said John Young, general manager of the authority’s rescue division.

“But we wouldn’t want it to be much more remote than this on a regular basis,” he said.

“Antarctica presents particular challenges, and we’re also grateful to the international Antarctic programs that co-operate in many respects, including this one.”

Amsa confirmed that 22 crew members of the Akademik Shokalskiy remained with the vessel. There were enough supplies for 74 people for several weeks, Young said, so they expected the 22 remaining had plenty for the time being.

“It’s quite uncertain how long it will take for the Shokalskiy to be able to break free of the ice,” Young said.

“Weather patterns affect the density of the ice and it may be that it opens up unexpectedly. It may be that she’s there for many weeks. That remains to be seen.”

The Aurora Australis travelled through heavy ice towards open water. Before being placed on standby for the potential rescue of the Xue Long, it was planning to stop at the Australian-managed Casey base to finish a resupply it was carrying out before the rescue, then head to Hobart. The Aurora Australis is expected to arrive in Australia about mid-January.

“The main objective of the current voyage of the Aurora Australis was the resupply of Casey station, so our immediate priority is to return to Casey and finish the job that was under way prior to the ship’s diversion, before returning to Hobart,” said Mundy.

About 30% of the supplies are yet to be unloaded at Casey, including scientific equipment. Mundy told reporters they were considering other options, including airlifting in priority items.

The delay caused by the rescue may cause some programs and research projects to be deferred or delayed, Mundy conceded.

“Like all national programs, the Australian Antarctic Division always prepares for the unexpected in Antarctica,” he said, adding that they have room in the budget. However “space for further unexpected events is now much diminished”.

The team on the Akademik Shokalskiy was attempting to retrace the steps of geologist Douglas Mawson, who led the Australasian Antarctic expedition between 1911 and 1913, and also to examine how the pristine environment had fared after 100 years of climate changes.

Strong winds sweeping sea ice against one side of the ship pinned it in place at Commonwealth Bay on Christmas Eve.

An attempt on New Year's Day to evacuate the passengers by helicopter was also abandoned because of heavy rain, strong winds and cloud.

The cost of the rescue will largely fall to the ships involved – the Aurora Australis and Xue Long – and insurance. Incidental costs can be covered under Australia’s international search and rescue conventions, Amsa said.