A Chinese rescue icebreaker has been forced to turn back from rescuing a ship stranded in sea ice. Source: AAP
AN Antarctic rescue mission has suffered a setback after two icebreakers abandoned efforts to free a research ship stranded deep in sea ice.
A group of Australian scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy since Christmas Day.
The ship, with 74 people on board, sent a distress call after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice, which has continued to expand around it over the past three days near Antarctica.
Three ice-breaking ships were sent to free the stranded vessel, located more than 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.
China's Snow Dragon icebreaker was the first to arrive and rammed through much of the sea ice until it came within six-and-a-half nautical miles of the locked-in vessel.
But in a setback to the rescue mission, the icebreaker had to turn back on Saturday after it, too, encountered heavy sea ice that threatened the ship's own safety.
"It can't break through any further," said Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokeswoman Andrea Hayward-Maher.
"That vessel is now making its way back from the direction it came in."
A French icebreaker, L'Astrolabe, had also been heading to the remote area but was released by rescue authorities from having to continue with the mission around midday on Saturday.
That leaves Australia's Aurora Australis as the only remaining ship that can help, but it's not expected to reach the vessel until Sunday evening.
The wedged-in ship had been undertaking the Spirit of Mawson voyage, which is retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition.
Professor Chris Turney of the University of NSW is leading the expedition, consisting of both Australian and New Zealander scientists and explorers.
He's been keeping supporters updated via social media and a satellite connection, saying everyone onboard is in good spirits despite the ordeal.
Ms Hayward-Maher said authorities are still weighing up their options on how to free the ship come Sunday.
The Aurora is rated at a slightly-higher ice-breaking capability than both the Chinese and French ships that were sent away, she said.
But if the Aurora can't battle through the ice, a second option may be to consider ferrying trapped explorers with a helicopter onboard the Chinese vessel.
The Snow Dragon remains in the area in case its helicopter will be needed.
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