Sister of Crew Member Stranded on Ship in Antarctica Speaks to KRDO

Seventy Four passengers aboard a Russian research ship called the Akedemik Shokalskiy have been stranded in Antarctica since Christmas Eve. Now a second rescue attempt is underway.

A Chinese ship tried unsuccessfully to break through ice and reach the ship over the weekend. Now an Australian ship is trying to reach the stranded boat and says it is making progress.

Jennifer Ray lives in Monument but is from Sidney, Australia. Her sister, Mary Regan is working aboard the Akademik Shokaliskiy as a researcher. Ray says her sister and the crew appear to be doing just fine, but she can’t help but worry a little. “They’re putting on a brave face, that is Australian Culture, to put on a brave face; I think they’re doing ok, they’ve got enough coffee and beer to last another couple days so I think they’re happy,” says Ray.

The Australian ship could reach the stranded boat as early as today.