Jan 2, 2014

A Chinese helicopter has reached a Russian ship stranded in Antarctica for nine days and is beginning to pick up 52 passengers who spent Christmas and the New Year trapped in ice, the expedition leader said on Thursday.

: This photo provided by Fairfax Media Pool and released by the Australian Antarctic Division on January 2, 2014 shows the Chinese Antarctic vessel Xue Long (back L-in far distance) from the bridge of the Aurora Australis ship off Antarctica, both in the frozen waters to help rescue a nearby Russian research ship (not pictured). A helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2, 2014 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. Under the aerial rescue plan outlined by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) earlier on January 2, the passengers will be moved from the Xue Long to Australia’s Antarctic supply ship the Aurora Australis via a barge. (Jessica Fitzpatrick/Australian Antarctic Division/AFP/Getty Images)

: Rescue workers make their way from a helicopter to the Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy, which has been trapped in Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve, at Commonwealth Bay in East Antarctica, 100 nautical miles (185 km) east of French Antarctic station Dumont D’Urville and about 1,500 nautical miles (2,800km) south of Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania, in this still image taken from video shot by expedition leader Chris Turney, Professor of Climate Change at the University of New South Wales, on January 2, 2014. The Chinese helicopter has reached a Russian ship stranded in Antarctica for nine days and is beginning to pick up 52 passengers who spent Christmas and the New Year trapped in ice, Turney said on Thursday. (REUTERS/Chris Turney via youtube.com/user/christurney)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long above passengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy as the first helicopter rescue takes place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows a pair of Adelie penguins (C) inspecting the scene as the first load of passsengers (foreground) from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy (back R) wait for a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long to pick them up as rescue operations take place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long picking up the first batch of passengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy as rescue operations take place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long picking up the first batch of passengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy as rescue operations take place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows passengers on board the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy watching as a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long picks up the first batches of passengers, as rescue operations take place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 2, 2014 shows a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long picking up the first batch of passengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy as rescue operations take place after over a week of being trapped in the ice off Antarctica. The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This photo provided by Fairfax Media Pool and released by the Australian Antarctic Division on January 2, 2014 shows voyage leader Leanne Millhouse from the ship Aurora Australis looking out at the Chinese Antarctic vessel Xue Long (L in far background) from the bridge of the Aurora Australis ship off Antarctica, both in the frozen waters to help rescue a nearby Russian research ship (not pictured). A helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2, 2014 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. It was expected to take at least five hours to ferry all passengers from the icebound vessel to the Xue Long — 10 nautical miles distant — by helicopter, with five flights of up to 12 passengers and a return journey taking 45 minutes. Under the aerial rescue plan outlined by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) earlier on January 2, the passengers will be moved from the Xue Long to Australia’s Antarctic supply ship the Aurora Australis via a barge. (Jessica Fitzpatrick / Australian Antarctic DivisionAFP/Getty Images)

: This picture taken on April 1, 2009 shows the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long (also known as Snow Dragon) arriving at Kaohsiung harbor, Taiwan. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27, 2013 closing in on the frozen seas where a scientific mission ship is trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which is coordinating the rescue of the Russian passenger ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, said the boat had experienced very strong winds and limited visibility. Three boats with icebreaking capability have diverted to try to help free it, with the Chinese vessel Snow Dragon expected now about 15 nautical miles from the vessel but progressing at slow speed, AMSA said. (AFP)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on January 1, 2014 shows passengers stranded on the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, still stuck in the ice off eastern Antarctica, sheltering in a tent lashed to the ships top deck as they sing a song they wrote streaming live on the Internet to mark in the new year. Strong winds and rain on January 1, 2014 prevented the helicopter rescue of passengers on the Russian ship stuck in ice off Antarctica, Australian authorities said, as those onboard rang in the New Year with a sing-song from the deck. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 31, 2013 shows passengers linking arms and stamping out a helicopter landing site on the ice near the MV Akademik Shokalskiy (back R), still stuck in the ice off eastern Antarctica, as the ship waits for a possible helicopter rescue. Strong winds and rain on January 1, 2014 prevented the helicopter rescue of passengers on the Russian ship stuck in ice off Antarctica, Australian authorities said, as those onboard rang in the New Year with a sing-song from the deck. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images )

: This image taken by expedition doctor Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 31, 2013 shows members of the expedition team pictured out on the ice next to the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, still stuck in the ice off eastern Antarctica, to discuss helicopter operations as the ship waits for a possible helicopter rescue. Strong winds and rain on January 1, 2014 prevented the helicopter rescue of passengers on the Russian ship stuck in ice off Antarctica, Australian authorities said, as those onboard rang in the New Year with a sing-song from the deck. The ship is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Douglas Mawson a century ago, details of which at www.spiritofmawson.com, and have been carrying out the same scientific experiments his team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition — the first large-scale Australian-led scientific expedition to the frozen continent. (Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.comAndrew Peacock/AFP/Getty Images)

: This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows people drilling in the ice next to the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy (R), which is trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27 closing in on the frozen seas where the scientific mission ship was trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The ship, with 74 people on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24. (Andrew Peacock/footloosefotography.com/AFP/Getty Images)

: This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27 closing in on the frozen seas where the scientific mission ship was trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The ship, with 74 people on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24. (Andrew Peacock/footloosefotography.com/AFP/Getty Images)

: This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27 closing in on the frozen seas where the scientific mission ship was trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The ship, with 74 people on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24. (Andrew Peacock/footloosefotography.com/AFP/Getty Images)

: This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27 closing in on the frozen seas where the scientific mission ship was trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The ship, with 74 people on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24. (Andrew Peacock/footloosefotography.com/AFP/Getty Images)

: This handout image released by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of New South Wales and taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com on December 27, 2013 shows the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. A Chinese icebreaker was on December 27 closing in on the frozen seas where the scientific mission ship was trapped off Antarctica, as those onboard welcomed the easing of blizzard conditions. The ship, with 74 people on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont D’Urville since December 24. (Andrew Peacock/footloosefotography.com/AFP/Getty Images)

The helicopter from the Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon will take all the passengers from the ice-bound Akademik Shokalskiy and transfer them to an Australian Antarctic supply ship, the Aurora Australis.

Chris Turney, the leader of the private expedition, said conditions had improved enough to mount the rescue after days of blizzards, fog and shifting sea ice.

“The Chinese helicopter has arrived @ the Shokalskiy. It’s 100% we’re off! A huge thanks to all,” Turney posted on Twitter.

Television pictures showed the helicopter checking out a makeshift landing pad on the ice then apparently picking up the first group of 12 passengers.

The Russian ship left New Zealand on November 28 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of an Antarctic journey led by famed Australian explorer Douglas Mawson.

It became trapped on December 24, 100 nautical miles east of French Antarctic station Dumont D’Urville and about 1,500 nautical miles south of Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania. – Reuters

Helicopter rescue begins for passengers stuck in Antarctic ice

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