Kiwi Kruzer Posted December 25, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 25, 2013 (edited) http://nz.totaltravel.yahoo.com/news-opinions/news/a/-/20480545/antarctic-tourist-ship-trapped-by-sea-ice/ Antarctic tourist ship trapped by sea ice December 25, 2013, 2:56 pmNZ Newswire Tourists on an Antarctic-bound cruise liner will spend Christmas awaiting rescue after the ship became wedged in thick sheets of sea ice. The ship had been on a multi-day tour from New Zealand to visit several sites along the edge of Antarctica. But the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a distress call on Christmas morning, notifying the rescue co-ordination centre that the ship was trapped in ice and would need help. It is not known how long the ship has been unable to break free from the ice floes. An AMSA spokeswoman on Wednesday said three ships had been sent to assist but it would take at least two days for the nearest vessel to reach the remote location - about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart. "It's in quite a remote part of the world," she said. "But we have everyone safe. The vessel isn't in any immediate danger." The Russian-built ship, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, had been on a tourist trip with about 50 passengers on board and 20 crew members. Edited December 25, 2013 by Kiwi Kruzer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussieflyer Posted December 25, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 25, 2013 (edited) Yes, I saw that in the news too. That will be one Christmas story the passengers will be able to tell in future years. From what I could find out the ship was originally built for oceanographic research but was refurbished as a cruise ship in 1998 and is operated by Aurora Expeditions. It only has room for 54 passengers so was virtually full. Edited December 25, 2013 by Aussieflyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted December 25, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Not a great place to be stranded. Especially, when probably trip of a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussieflyer Posted December 25, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 25, 2013 …. From what I could find out the ship was originally built for oceanographic research but was refurbished as a cruise ship in 1998 and is operated by Aurora Expeditions. It only has room for 54 passengers so was virtually full. Don't quote me on that - when I looked at their website this ship is not listed as one of theirs and their expeditions all start in South America whereas this was a trip from NZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranethie Posted December 25, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Called The Spirit of Mawson it's recreating a journey made by Douglas Mawson - seems there are scientists explorers and tourists on board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun-set Posted December 29, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Called The Spirit of Mawson it's recreating a journey made by Douglas Mawson - seems there are scientists explorers and tourists on board Mawson made the journey okay, but they are still trapped by ice so thick they can't be reached, even by an ice breaker. Perhaps the problem is global cooling!!!:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted December 29, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted December 29, 2013 The first rescue ship could not break the ice to get to them, but there are 2 others on the way. If they can't be reached they will helicoptered off their ship.They have enough supplies for 7 weeks. Perhaps the problem is global cooling!!! ...and its supposed to be summer there:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted December 29, 2013 #8 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) Please note, these ships are expedition ships NOT cruise ships. Several Antarctic Tour Operators are having these 'Mawson trips' A way of promoting them. http://www.chimuadventures.com is also having one in February 'Shackleton Discovery' supporting Mawsons Huts Foundation' with Andrew Denton and Wendy Sharpe on board. Edited December 29, 2013 by NSWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted January 1, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted January 1, 2014 The latest reports state that the rescue ships can not get near them, so evacuation will take place by helicopter as long as the weather holds. Lets hope they do not run out of time. Please note, these ships are expedition ships NOT cruise ships. The tourist cruise ships leave from the tip of South America, so at least help is not too far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamH Posted January 1, 2014 #10 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Apparently weather conditions have improved. Not sure this link will work because it's from F'book, but it's the Australian Maritime Safety Authority page if anyone wants to take a look. https://www.facebook.com/AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted January 1, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 1, 2014 The latest reports state that the rescue ships can not get near them, so evacuation will take place by helicopter as long as the weather holds. Lets hope they do not run out of time. The tourist cruise ships leave from the tip of South America, so at least help is not too far away. If they are evacuated by helicopter they will have to leave all their luggage.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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