Rescue in the white desert of Antarctica. An Australian icebreaker is heading for Hobart on Monday after the helicopters on board were able to rescue a researcher in distress from a remote Antarctic station.
The RSV Nuyina icebreaker sailed more than 3,000 km south of Tasmania to rescue an unidentified scientist from Casey Research Base, the Australian Antarctic Department said in a statement. a statement. The evacuated researcher required specialist medical examination and treatment in Australia due to an unspecified “medical condition”.
The rescue operation is a “success”
After breaking through the surface ice to get within some 144 kilometers of Casey, Nuyina’s two helicopters flew for nearly an hour to retrieve the seeker. “The first phase of the operation was a success. The ship is now on its way back to Hobart,” said Robb Clifton, the Department’s general manager of operations and logistics.
The rescued patient will be treated at the specially equipped medical center in Nuyina, he added. The icebreaker is expected to arrive in Hobart next week, depending on weather conditions in the Southern Ocean. Robb Clifton stressed that bringing the researcher back to Tasmania “for specialist care is our priority”.