Update: Aurora Australis Refloated
Image Courtesy: Australian Antarctic DivisionThe Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis has been successfully refloated and has made its way out of Mawson harbour, the Australian Antarctic Division said in an update.
The ship now remains in the vicinity of Mawson research station, where crew will conduct a thorough assessment of damage over the coming days.
There is no evidence of any oil pollution.
The ship was refloated Friday night at 7:20pm AEDT (1:20pm Mawson time), following the transfer of 37 expeditioners safely to shore via barge earlier in the day.
P&O Maritime crew used a combination of internal ballast transfers and work boats to refloat the ship during a rising tide.
The Aurora Australis broke its mooring lines during a blizzard on 24 February and became grounded on rocks on West Arm in Horseshoe Harbour.
