Troubles Mount for Ship Stuck in Antarctica

Troubles Mount for Stranded Ship in Antarctica

The 74 people aboard the stranded Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy have company, but not the way they were expecting. The Chinese ice-breaking vessel Xue Long (Chinese for Snow Dragon) has itself gotten stuck in the ice. Indeed, the words of Abbe Layne’s appropriately titled song “Can’t Be Found” are applicable: “Misery loves company, but it’s wrong somehow.”

Now, both ships are waiting on the French ice-breaker Astrolabe to free them. However, the extreme ice conditions are certain to slow the travel pace of the vessel. The Chinese vessel was actually within six nautical miles of the Russian ship when it got stuck. A third ship from Australia, called the Aurora Australis, is also on the way and hopefully between the French and Australian ships, the Russian and Chinese vessels can be rescued.

https://twitter.com/ProfChrisTurney/statuses/416479520279891969

So far, the 74 aboard the Russian ship are in good spirits. They are in constant communication with the Chinese vessel and both report having ample supplies of food and water. The Snow Dragon has a helicopter aboard which can be used to help the Shokalskiy if the need arises. The Aurora Australis is currently two days away from the Shokalskiy. For all this, the Shokalskiy still expects to return to New Zealand by the original return date of January 4.

On The Web:
Stuck in Antarctica
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/27/world/antarctica-ship-stuck/index.html