Trapped passengers in Antarctica ring in 2014

It's certainly a New Year's to remember for trapped tourists and scientists aboard a Russian ship in Antarctica.

Rather than the traditional 10-second countdown, they rang in 2014 with a song about their struggle.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALASIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MEMBERS SINGING:

"1, 2, 1, 2, 3, We're the AAE who have traveled far, having fun doing science in Antarctica."

They've been stuck for eight days now.

An Australian icebreaker failed to reach them Monday.

Hopeful that a Chinese helicopter from a nearby ship can come to their rescue, they stomp away at the snow and ice to create a makeshift helipad.

Rescuers plan to move all 52 passengers, many of them Australian, to the Chinese vessel, weather permitting.

The Russian crew will stay on board.