Xuelong waits for chance to break free
The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong or Snow Dragon is waiting for chance to save itself from Antarctic ice as weather conditions may turn favourable from Monday.
It is estimated that on Monday and Tuesday, a tropical cyclone will pass through, and the ice floes will change and there may appear a crack between the ice floes. Experts and scientists have planned three possible routes to take advantage of this good weather to break itself free, and they will decide which to take today. Ice floes near the vessel are up to 4 meters thick. Xuelong can break ice of 1.1 meters. Meanwhile, Xuelong team has said they are safe on the board and food and fresh water supplies are enough. Currently, 101 scientists and 42 crew are aboard Xuelong.
