30 Scientists Saved by Ship in Antarctic, but Others Remain

HOBART, Tasmania —  An Australian ship has rescued 30 scientists stranded in Antarctica, reaching them just ahead of advancing winter ice, Science Minister Barry Jones said Monday.

Scientists from Australia’s Mawson station were picked up over the weekend, joining 22 from Edgeworth David base who were rescued March 7. However, still others remained in the polar region.

Jones said that the Australian supply ship Nella Dan at times had to take shelter behind icebergs during fierce gales and to thread its way through ice floes to reach the scientists and researchers.

Those saved were among 91 researchers who were to leave Antarctica late last year during the Southern Hemisphere summer. Plans went awry when the Nella Dan, a Danish ship on charter to Australia, became trapped in sea ice for five weeks.

An icebreaker finally freed the Nella Dan, but both vessels had to return to Hobart, Tasmania, for repairs before they can start still another rescue effort. Some expedition members have been in Antarctica since January, 1985. Temperatures there now are about 50 degrees below zero.

Mark Wolff of the Australian Science Department said that none of the scientists is now in a life-threatening situation.