A Chinese helicopter played hero, Thursday, by sucessfully rescuing 52 people who were stranded in a ship in Antarctica for over a week.
A Russian research ship, MV Akademik Shokalskiy, carrying dozens of scientists and tourists, was trapped in 10-feet thick ice 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d'Urville since December 24, 2013.
A helicopter rescue mission was announced on Tuesday, December 31, 2103, but heavy rain and winds forced a halt to the rescue mission. A subsequent attempt was made but unfavorable sea ice foiled the rescue attempt.
However, on Thursday, January 2, favorable weather conditions allowed a Chinese icebreaker Xue Long to arrive at the trapped ship's location and begin evacuating 52 passengers with the help of a helicopter. The rescue involved ferrying groups of 12 passengers.
Chris Turney, the expedition leader, confirmed the arrival of the Chinese helicopter via a tweet.
Turney's tweet was accompanied by a short video footage showing the red helicopter landing on the ice. Turney also posted a second video showing the first group of passengers boarding the rescue craft.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which is overseeing the operation initially said that it was unlikely that the rescue work will go ahead on January 2, but later stated "AMSA has been advised that the first passengers have boarded the helicopter."
"AMSA understands the plan is to fly from the Russian ship direct to an ice floe adjacent to the Aurora Australis," added AMSA. It is estimated that the return journey from the Xue Long to the Shokalskiy will be around 45 minutes. Five trips are planned to evacuate passengers and additional two trips for equipment and luggage.
The ship has 22 crew members, who will remain on board until the ice breaks up and the Shokalskiy can sail under its own steam. The ship is well provisioned and the crew are not in any danger. Turney's latest tweet says that they have made it to the Aurora Australis "safe & sound."
We've made it to the Aurora australis safe & sound. A huge thanks to the Chinese & @AusAntarctic for all their hard work! #spiritofmawson — Chris Turney (@ProfChrisTurney) January 2, 2014
