8.jpg (Photo : 58.86.56.5/pwimg)
Just days after its dramatic helicopter rescue of 52 passengers marooned on the Russian icebreaker Akademik Shokalskiy, the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long also found itself stuck in the ice and unable to move.
On Sunday, the U.S. has dispatched the icebreaker Polar Star to assist in rescue efforts. Originally dispatched to the area for research, the Xue Long on Christmas Eve received an emergency call from the Russian ship for assistance after sudden change in the temperature froze the ship into ice nearly 4 meters thick. After efforts to reach the Shokalskiy by ship were aborted, the only other option was to transfer the passengers out by air.
The Xue Long was the only ship in the area with a helicopter and crew experienced enough to carry out the air-rescue in the oftentimes unpredictable weather. The rescue was completed within a few hours and all passengers were transported to a nearby Australian ship.
Now weather changes have caused the Xue Long itself to similarly become frozen into ice nearly 4 meters thick and 21 kilometers from open water. Although it has created some room to maneuver and possibly break itself free, current conditions made it difficulties and there is concern that it may need assistance to get free. The Xue Long and its crew of 101 are in no immediate danger, according to authorities, and they had enough provisions to last for several months.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has ordered an "all-out effort" to assist the Xue Long break out of its icy confinement. In response, the U.S. has dispatched the icebreaker Polar Star to assist both the Xue Long and Shokalskiy. The Polar Star had been in Australia on its way to Antarctica to help supply the U.S. research station there but now has expedited its departure to provide any needed assistance. The Polar Star has the capability of breaking ice 1.8 meters thick under normal sailing conditions, and if required, can break ice up to 6 meters thick by ramming.
The Polar Star is expected to arrive in Antarctica where the Chinese ship is stranded.
