Ice Traps Ship Carrying a Scientific Expedition Team Three icebreakers are on their way to an area off the coast of Antarctica to help free a vessel carrying 74 people, including a scientific expedition team, which is stranded in thick sheets of ice, officials said Thursday. The Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy has been trapped since Tuesday, when ice pushed by strong winds surrounded the vessel, according to Chris Turney, an Australian professor who helped organize the trip. Three ships with icebreaking ability have been sent to help dislodge the vessel, which is about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart, Tasmania, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said. The first icebreaker, a Chinese vessel called the Snow Dragon, is expected to reach the ship on Friday, Mr. Turney said.