For nine days, 52 passengers and 22 crew members of the stranded Russian research ship Akademic Shokalskiy waited for help after icebergs halted their journey to Antarctica.
The passengers even celebrated the New Year with the company of penguins right in the middle of the frozen ocean. Their wait, however, ended Thursday when a Chinese helicopter rescued them.
The helicopter was from the Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, also known as the Snow Dragon, which is on an Antarctic expedition since early November. The helicopter Xueying 12, carried the stranded passengers to the waiting Australian Antarctic supply ship. The chopper made six trips to rescue all 52 passengers and their belongings, sources said.
Ship's Crew Members Stay
The 22 crew members of Akademix Shokalskiy, however, decided to stay aboard the vessel and wait until the ship will be able to sail again. The stranded passengers include scientists, tourists and press people who were out to follow the famous journey of Australian Douglas Mawson, who sailed to the Antarctic in 1911.
The rescue by the Chinese chopper proved to be the most successful after three previous attempts to reach the stranded vessel failed. Three ice breakers were sent to rescue the passengers but were halted by impenetrable ice, strong winds, and blinding fog and snow. The Chinese helicopter officially joined in the rescue efforts following the official request of the captain of the Russian ship. The captain sent a formal request on Dec.24.
Well-Planned Rescue
Helicopter captain Jia Shuliang told official state media Xinhua News Agency that the rescue involved six crew members, split into three teams to ensure that the helicopter will fly safely and that the landing will be smooth and safe. The Snow Dragon is on a 155-day expedition in Antarctica for scientific research and to construct China's new research base in the area.
China has set up its fourth research station in the area on Dec.26. Named Taishan, the research station will be utilized to better study Antarctica's geology, glaciers, geomagnetism, as well as the atmosphere of the South Pole.