Icebreaker trying to reach trapped ship in Antarctica also stonewalled by ice

A Chinese ship trying to reach a trapped
expedition vessel in Antarctica has now become
hampered by ice itself.
The Chinese icebreaker Xue Long, or Snow
Dragon, was just six nautical miles away from the
Russian-flagged vessel when it became
obstructed by heavy ice. Even the icebreaker
could not break through the floe, the Australian
Maritime Safety Authority said Saturday.
"We have been waiting for better weather and ice
conditions since last night," Zhao Yanping, second
captain of the Xue Long, told CNN. "Xue Long is
not moving forward but we're not stuck."
The Chinese crew was hoping a French icebreaker
that was also en route would be able to assist. But
by midday Saturday, the Australian maritime
authority called off the French ship's mission.
But AMSA said another icebreaker, the Australian
Aurora Australis ship, is still en route and is
expected to arrive late Sunday.
The rescue icebreakers were battling the planet's
coldest environment in trying to reach the
stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy,
whose 74 researchers, crew and tourists remained
in good condition despite being at a frozen
standstill since Monday.
It all shows that some lands -- especially
the ends of the Earth -- may never be
tamed.
The Russian expedition ship is carrying
scientists and passengers led by an
Australian climate change professor. But
they may have to wait another day or two to be
freed, said Capt. Wang Jiangzhong of the Snow
Dragon.
"Right now we are waiting for winds to blow ice
away so we can move closer," Wang said. "The
current ice condition is exceeding our capabilities
to break through further."
The captain also acknowledged his ship may need
help from the other icebreakers headed to the
area if conditions deteriorate.
"We are in continual communication with the
(stranded) ship," he said in a satellite phone call
with CNN. "I think it's at least a form of emotional
relief for them to know we are nearby to help. We
know that they (passengers) are all doing well on
that ship."
The Snow Dragon has ample supplies of water,
food and medicine -- even a helicopter -- if the ice-
bound Shokalskiy needed them, said Zhu Li, chief
officer of the Chinese ship.
Meanwhile, spirits were high Friday aboard the
Akademik Shokalskiy.
"The vessel is fine, it's safe and everyone on board
is very well," expedition leader Chris Turney, a
professor of climate change at University of New
South Wales in Australia told CNN. "Morale is
really high."
It got stuck in the ice on Monday night -- 15 days
after setting out on the second leg of its research
trip.
According to Turney, the ship was surrounded by
ice up to nearly 10 feet (3 meters) thick. It was
about 100 nautical miles east of the French base
Dumont D'Urville, about 1,500 nautical miles
south of Hobart, Tasmania.
On Christmas morning, the ship sent a satellite
distress signal after conditions failed to clear.
The crew had a "great Christmas" despite their
situation, Turney told CNN. He said crew members
have used the delay to get more work done.
"We've just kept the team busy," he said.
The expedition is trying to update scientific
measurements taken by an Australian expedition
led by Douglas Mawson that set out in 1911.
The expedition to gauge the effects of climate
change on the region began November 27. The
second, and current leg of the trip, started
December 8 and was scheduled to conclude with a
return to New Zealand on January 4.
Turney said the ship should still be back in New
Zealand on time.
Sent From David Aniemeka