Akademik Shokolskiy rescue delayed by bad weather PT1M16S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-302my 620 349 December 31, 2013 - 12:14AM Plans to evacuate passengers from the stranded Akademik Shokolskiy have been delayed after a break in bad weather failed to eventuate on Tuesday morning. The Xue Long Chinese icebreaker sits in the ice pack unable to get through to the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, in East Antarctica. Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Peacock Expeditioners onboard the Aurora Australis were told to expect tourists from the Russian vessel to be transported onto the icebreaker should heavy fog in Watt Bay lift. But by Monday evening weather forecasts suggested the rescue would not be possible for another day or two. Up to 57 passengers and crew are expected to board the Aurora after both the Australian and Chinese icebreakers failed to break their way through thick pack ice surrounding the stricken Russian vessel, which has been trapped near the Mertz Glacier since Christmas Day. The Aurora's captain, Murray Doyle, said the evacuation would be co-ordinated by all three vessels. When the rescue does take place, Shokolskiy passengers would likely be taken by the Xue Long's helicopter to the Chinese icebreaker. The Aurora's barge would then move passengers from the Xue Long to the Australian icebreaker. Australian Antarctic Division expeditioners have been asked to bunk together to free up cabins for the new arrivals.