Australia used a $528 million icebreaker to pull off a daring Antarctic rescue mission after an expeditioner fell ill at a remote research station

Tue, 09/05/2023 - 20:01

A side-by-side composite of the RSV Nuyina and the Casey research center. — The RSV Nuyina (left) traveled more than 1,800 miles to rescue a sick expeditioner at Australia's Casey research center in Antartica (right).
Courtesy of Pete Harmsen/AAD and Nisha Harris/AAD

Australia's Antarctic research agency rescued a sick expeditioner from a research site this month.
The Nuyina, a research and supply vessel, traveled more than 1,800 miles to reach the site.
Two helicopters were deployed from the vessel's deck to retrieve the sick researcher.

Australia's Antarctic research agency undertook a daring rescue mission this month after one of its Antarctic expeditioners required urgent medical care while living at a remote research station 2,400 miles due south of Perth.