Russian Passenger Ship Trapped in ice near Antarctica

The Russian ship MV AKADEMIK SHOKALSKIY has become trapped in ice in the remote Antarctic more than two days’ sailing from the nearest rescue vessel, officials said Wednesday.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a search and rescue for the ship which is approximately 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart, Tasmania.

Expeditions Online describes their ship as follows:

Our ship, the Shokalskiy, is a true expedition vessel. Built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research, she is fully ice-strengthened. This class of vessel is world renowned for polar exploration, because of its strength, maneuverability and small passenger numbers. With a maximum of 26 berths available to the public to join as members of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), we are able to offer a unique expedition experience.

The Shokalskiy provides comfortable accommodation in double and twin cabins with private facilities. All cabins have outside windows and ample storage space. On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room, where the science team and expedition staff will present a programme of talks.

It is not known how long the ship has been unable to break free from the ice floes.

An AMSA spokeswoman on Wednesday said three ships had been sent to assist but it would take at least two days for the nearest vessel to reach the remote location – about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.
“It’s in quite a remote part of the world,” she said.

Agencies/canadajournal