By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/stranded-passengers-rescued-from-marooned-antarctic-ship Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Watch as stranded passengers get rescued from marooned Antarctic ship World Jan 2, 2014 10:37 AM EDT Passengers stranded for more than a week in Antarctic ice were rescued Thursday by a Chinese helicopter. Raw video by AP Fifty-two passengers were rescued Thursday from a Russian research vessel stuck in the ice in Antarctica. After several failed attempts by numerous icebreaker ships to reach the stranded MV Akademik Shokalskiy, a helicopter that arrived with the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long ferried the scientists, journalists and tourists — a dozen at a time — several miles across the icy landscape to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis. The passengers will be transported via the vessel to Tasmania, with an expected arrival of mid-January. The research vessel had been stranded since Dec. 24 near Cape de La Motte, after strong winds surrounded it with pack ice. The ship had been on a planned monthlong voyage to study the east Antarctic environment as part of a centennial celebration of Australian geologist Douglas Mawson’s survey. The 22-member crew, who say they were stocked for a long voyage, will stay with the ship until conditions allow it to move from its maroonment. Chris Turney, one of the scientists aboard the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, updated the rescue on Twitter and posted several videos via Vine: A stunning day. Hopefully we'll hear about the evacuation soon. #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/ZQf2RXGKam — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 Helicopter flying over to check out helipad. May be leaving in an hour! #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 The Chinese helicopter has arrived @ the Shokalskiy. It's 100% we're off! A huge thanks to all. http://t.co/UcmHMaO2Gd #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 The first of the helicopters to take us home. Thanks everyone! #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/WawL6pQz9J — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 Take off! second team gone. Looking good. #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/wdrtEYbKPq — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 We've made it to the Aurora australis safe & sound. A huge thanks to the Chinese & @AusAntarctic for all their hard work! #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Passengers stranded for more than a week in Antarctic ice were rescued Thursday by a Chinese helicopter. Raw video by AP Fifty-two passengers were rescued Thursday from a Russian research vessel stuck in the ice in Antarctica. After several failed attempts by numerous icebreaker ships to reach the stranded MV Akademik Shokalskiy, a helicopter that arrived with the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long ferried the scientists, journalists and tourists — a dozen at a time — several miles across the icy landscape to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis. The passengers will be transported via the vessel to Tasmania, with an expected arrival of mid-January. The research vessel had been stranded since Dec. 24 near Cape de La Motte, after strong winds surrounded it with pack ice. The ship had been on a planned monthlong voyage to study the east Antarctic environment as part of a centennial celebration of Australian geologist Douglas Mawson’s survey. The 22-member crew, who say they were stocked for a long voyage, will stay with the ship until conditions allow it to move from its maroonment. Chris Turney, one of the scientists aboard the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, updated the rescue on Twitter and posted several videos via Vine: A stunning day. Hopefully we'll hear about the evacuation soon. #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/ZQf2RXGKam — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 Helicopter flying over to check out helipad. May be leaving in an hour! #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 The Chinese helicopter has arrived @ the Shokalskiy. It's 100% we're off! A huge thanks to all. http://t.co/UcmHMaO2Gd #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 The first of the helicopters to take us home. Thanks everyone! #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/WawL6pQz9J — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 Take off! second team gone. Looking good. #spiritofmawson Alok Jha https://t.co/wdrtEYbKPq — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 We've made it to the Aurora australis safe & sound. A huge thanks to the Chinese & @AusAntarctic for all their hard work! #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014 We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now