Success in rescue mission in one of the most remote places in the world: An Australian icebreaker brought a sick person on board after a long journey at the Casey research station in Antarctica.
The “RSV Nuyina” is now on its way back to Hobart, thousands of kilometers away on the Australian island of Tasmania, local broadcaster ABC quoted a spokesman for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) government agency as saying on Monday.
On Sunday, the ship broke through the sea ice and reached a location 144 kilometers from Casey. “As soon as the ship got close, two helicopters took off from the helideck,” it said in a statement. “After a flight of almost an hour, the helicopters arrived in Casey and picked up the expedition member.”
Thousands of kilometers away
The icebreaker left Hobart at the end of August and made its way to the Australian research station, around 3,500 kilometers away, after a person stationed there became ill. It was initially unclear whether the victim was a man or a woman. The person needs a specialist examination and needs care in Australia, the AAD had said.
No further details about his health were initially known. All other participants in the expedition are doing well, they said. The sick person is now being cared for on the “RSV Nuyina” by polar medics and the medical staff of the Royal Hobart Hospital. The Casey Research Station is located approximately 3,380 kilometers south of the metropolis of Perth. It is the closest permanent Antarctic station to Australia. While around 150 expedition members live there in summer, there are only around 20 in winter.
