AURORA AUSTRALIS was refloated on Feb 26 by ballasting and by using workboats, reported The Australian Antarctic Division. Vessel suffered a hole when running on rocks, but breach doesn’t ssem to be serious enough to prevent refloating or endanger vessel’s buoyancy and survivability. The crew is on board, while expeditioners have been were taken to Mawson station earlier.
Grounding news:
AURORA AUSTRALIS aground in Antarctica
Australian icebreaker the AURORA AUSTRALIS has run aground at Mawson Station in Antarctica. The ship broke from its moorings just after 3pm on Wednesday during a heavy blizzard with 67 expeditioners on board, the Australian Department of Environment said. The AURORA AUSTRALIS was re-supplying the station when it ran aground in the West Arm in Horseshoe Harbour.
"The ship remains watertight, with no damage to the hull of the vessel. Current blizzard conditions are hampering a full assessment of the damage, and the crew are closely monitoring the hull from inside the ship. Blizzard conditions are forecast to continue for the next 24 hours. The ship remains watertight, with no damage to the hull of the vessel. The Australian Antarctic Division is working closely with P&O Maritime Services, owners of the AURORA AUSTRALIS, to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew as a priority," the division said.
