Antarctic ice too thick in Weddell Sea for US icebreaker. US Antarctic Program seeks help from Argentine Navy to rescue stranded US science team in Antarctic. US team led by UC Santa Barbara professor Alexander R. Simms-AP

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Argentina rescues US team stranded in Antarctic

3/12/18, "Argentine Navy Rescues US Scientists Stranded in Antarctica," Storyful 

"The Argentine Navy on Sunday, March 11, rescued five American scientists stranded on Joinville Island in Antarctica. 

A Sea King helicopter from the icebreaker Almirante Irizar airlifted the scientists to safety following a call for assistance from the United States Antarctic Program. Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that thick ice in the Weddell Sea meant the US icebreaker Laurence M. Gould could not recover the team. 

The four scientists and one support worker will be transferred to the Laurence M. Gould when weather conditions improved." Credit: Argentina Navy via Storyful

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Additional source: AP

3/12/18, "US scientists stranded in Antarctica rescued," AP, Buenos Aires, Argentina

"A group of American scientists who were stranded in an ice-bound island off the northeastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula were rescued Sunday by an Argentine icebreaker, U.S. and Argentine authorities said Monday.

The four scientists and a support staff member, who were conducting research at Joinville Island, were airlifted by helicopter to the Almirante Irizar icebreaker.

Argentina’s Foreign Ministry said that the U.S. icebreaker Laurence M. Gould was unable to carry out the evacuation because the ice barrier was too dense on the Weddell Sea in front of the island that is south of the Argentine mainland. The U.S. Antarctic Program then requested assistance from Argentina.

Argentina’s armed forces said that the five are in good health and will be transferred to the U.S. vessel when weather conditions improve.

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs said the scientists are led by Alexander R. Simms, an associate professor of earth sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The support staff member is an employee of the NSF’s Colorado-based Antarctic support contractor.

“The U.S. Antarctic Program expresses its gratitude to their Argentine colleagues for their willingness to help,” it said."


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