Chopper rescue for stricken ship

A Chinese helicopter flew over a Russian ship, trapped in Antarctic sea-ice since Christmas Day, as icebreakers make their way to help the stranded vessel. Sarah Toms reports.

MOST of the passengers and some of the crew stranded on a scientific expedition ship off Antarctica will be evacuated by a Chinese helicopter should the weather allow, Russian authorities say.

"A decision has been reached to evacuate 52 passengers and four crew members by helicopter from China's Xue Long ship, should the weather allow," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Russian-flagged MV Akademik Shokalskiy has been stuck on an ice field since last week with 74 people on board. The multinational passenger list includes scientists as well as tourists and crew.

Snow gusts that severely hampered visibility on Monday forced the icebreaker Aurora Australis to turn around, passengers aboard the stricken MV Akademik Shokalskiy had been told to prepare for the "worst case scenario".

The Moscow ministry's statement said its diplomats in Australia had received assurances from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy's Russian captain that everybody on board the ship was safe.

MV Akademik Shokalskiy crew outside the stranded boat on Saturday/ Picture: Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com Source: AFP

"According to (the captain), all the crew and other members of the expedition are in good health," the Russian ministry statement said.

"Neither their lives nor safety are under threat."

The Aurora battled its way through the freezing conditions and had come within 10 nautical miles of the Russian passenger ship, which has been wedged in a 20 nautical mile wide ice floe since Christmas Eve.

But 30-knot winds and driving snow has forced the rescue icebreaker to turn back.

"These weather conditions have resulted in poor visibility and made it difficult and unsafe for the Aurora Australis to continue (the) attempt to assist the MV Akademik Shokalskiy," the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.

The Aurora Australis is pushing through thick ice to reach the stricken Russian ship. Source: Supplied

"Further attempts may be made by the vessel in due course to undertake the rescue once weather conditions improve.

"The Aurora Australis made it within 10 nautical miles of the MV Akademik Shokalskiy but is now located in open waters about 18 nautical miles east of the Russian vessel."

Onboard the Finnish-built Shokalskiy were 26 tourists, 22 Russian crew, four UK journalists and 22 scientists from Australia and New Zealand hoping to recreate Sir Douglas Mawson's epic Antarctic expedition to Commonwealth Day.

An earlier attempt by Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon to reach the ship was also abandoned on Saturday when it, too, encountered impenetrable ice.

A penguin looks on with the stranded ship in the background / Picture: Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com Source: AFP

It was hoped the Aurora, with its higher icebreaking rating, would be able to cut its way through but an Antarctic "white out" was making for slow progress.

"The area is currently experiencing snow showers, resulting in poor visibility," AMSA spokeswoman Lisa Martin said earlier today.

"The Aurora Australis is travelling slowly due to the conditions to ensure the safety of all on board."

The expedition is being led by University of NSW Professor Chris Turney who continues to post updates on social media.