Icebreaker heads to trapped Antartica ship
- 10 years ago
A Chinese icebreaker is trying to reach this scientific research ship, trapped in dense ice off East Antarctica since Christmas Day.
The Snow Dragon icebreaker is cutting a path through the ice so this mission vessel Academic Shokalskiy can reach open waters.
(French and Australian boats are also heading into the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to help.)
There are 74 people on board the vessel being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
It is well stocked with food and those on board are in no danger.
But Chris Turney -- one of the leaders -- of the science team fears blizzards could hamper the rescue effort.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR OF CLIMATE CHANGE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, CHRIS TURNEY SAYING:
"Just a short while ago we heard on the bridge form the Chinese ice breaker vessel, Snow Dragon, that they're close. But the bad news is the sea ice edged about 20 kilometres out from where we are now, along way from when she fir
The Snow Dragon icebreaker is cutting a path through the ice so this mission vessel Academic Shokalskiy can reach open waters.
(French and Australian boats are also heading into the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to help.)
There are 74 people on board the vessel being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
It is well stocked with food and those on board are in no danger.
But Chris Turney -- one of the leaders -- of the science team fears blizzards could hamper the rescue effort.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR OF CLIMATE CHANGE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, CHRIS TURNEY SAYING:
"Just a short while ago we heard on the bridge form the Chinese ice breaker vessel, Snow Dragon, that they're close. But the bad news is the sea ice edged about 20 kilometres out from where we are now, along way from when she fir