UPDATED 12.10PM: Scientists and tourists stranded on a ship off Antarctica, including two academics from the Illawarra, are waiting for weather conditions to improve so they can be evacuated.
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A helicopter on board the nearby Chinese Xue Long icebreaker will be used to evacuate 52 of the 74 people who have been stranded on the Akademik Shokalskiy since Christmas Eve when it became stuck in deep pack ice.
The current location of the vessels involved. Courtesy Australian Maritime Safety Authority.But on Wednesday morning, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said rain and winds of 20 to 30 knots meant the helicopter could not fly.
‘‘Rescue situation in Antarctic remains unchanged,’’ AMSA tweeted on Wednesday morning.
It also said it had contacted the Akademik Shokalskiy and all on board were safe and well.
Overnight, those stranded posted videos of themselves celebrating New Year’s Eve off Antarctica.
Antarctic wildlife at its best: Adelie penguins. Everything is going to be fine. Happy new year! #spiritofmawson pic.twitter.com/OLPx3NorRA
— Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) December 31, 2013In one, they perform a song about their plight, while in a second they sing Auld Lang Syne as they stamp down the snow near the ship in preparation for the arrival of a rescue helicopter.
Expedition leader Professor Chris Turney, a scientist who lives in the Illawarra, on Wednesday tweeted that it was warm, wet and windy.
‘‘Poor visibility. Unlikely we’re flying this morning,’’ he wrote.
The decision to resort to a helicopter rescue was made after freezing winds and snow showers prompted the Aurora Australis icebreaker to retreat.
Thick ice had earlier prevented both the Xue Long and a French icebreaker from reaching the stranded vessel.
The ship’s crew will remain on board in the hope changing weather conditions will allow it to sail out of the ice field.
AAP
