Winds and rain put Antarctic ship rescue on hold

[SYDNEY] Strong winds and rain prevented the helicopter rescue early yesterday of passengers on a Russian ship stuck in ice off Antarctica, Australian authorities said as those onboard resigned themselves to a longer wait.

The Akademik Shokalskiy, carrying 74 passengers and crew, has not moved since it became trapped about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d'Urville on Dec 24.

Efforts to free it using icebreaking ships have failed, with the Australian government's supply ship Aurora Australis admitting on Tuesday it was unable to reach the marooned vessel, forcing the more complex helicopter rescue.