14 DAY TRIAL // The Australian ship Aurora Australis docked in Hobart, Australia yesterday, January 21, carrying a total of 52 passengers rescued from the Russian research ship Akademik Shokalskiy. The vessel was trapped in encroaching Antarctic ices in December 2013, and the crew had to be rescued early this year.
The 52 travelers were rescued via helicopter on January 2, during a successful mission that followed on the heels of failed attempts by Chinese and Australian icebreakers to reach the location of their ship. The Russian icebreaker was trapped by the fast-moving ices itself.
“We are terribly sorry for any impact that might have had on fellow colleagues, whose work has been delayed from the operation, but any experienced Antarctic scientist knows that's an inherent risk,” said upon arrival Chris Turney, the leader of the expedition.
The rescue effort costs amount to around $2.1 million (€1.54 million), PhysOrg reports.
This mission – involving French, Australian and Chinese ships – again highlights the growing amount of international cooperation taking place in one of the most hostile environments on Earth.