Trapped in the ice for Christmas

摘要

The expedition cruise ship Akademik Shokalskiy (pictured), operated by the Australian-based Aurora Expeditions, became trapped during the Christmas period in ice while on a cruise 1,700 nautical miles south of New Zealand. The cruise was intended to recreate the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 led by Sir Douglas Mawson, but ice closed the clear water behind the ship too quickly, preventing the vessel from escaping on Christmas Day. Akademik Shokalskiy had 74 passengers, scientists and crew aboard, but they were not in immediate danger.