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'''''Aurora Australis''''' is an Australian [[icebreaker]]. Built by [[Forgacs Shipyard|Carrington Slipways]] and launched in 1989, the vessel is owned by [[Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company|P&O Maritime Services]], but is regularly chartered by the [[Australian Antarctic Division]] (AAD) for research cruises in [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] waters and to support Australian bases in Antarctica.
'''''Aurora Australis''''' is an Australian [[icebreaker]]. Built by [[Forgacs Shipyard|Carrington Slipways]] and launched in 1989, the vessel is owned by [[P&O Maritime Services]], but is regularly chartered by the [[Australian Antarctic Division]] (AAD) for research cruises in [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] waters and to support Australian bases in Antarctica.


==Design and construction==
==Design and construction==
Line 95: Line 95:
''Aurora Australis'' is chartered by the AAD over the southern summer for research purposes, and to support the Antarctic bases operated by the AAD.<ref name=DefenceAmphibious/> The vessel spends most winters in port in [[Hobart|Hobart, Tasmania]], as the AAD headquarters is in the nearby town of [[Kingston, Tasmania|Kingston]].{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} P&O sometimes charter the ship for other work during winter.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}
''Aurora Australis'' is chartered by the AAD over the southern summer for research purposes, and to support the Antarctic bases operated by the AAD.<ref name=DefenceAmphibious/> The vessel spends most winters in port in [[Hobart|Hobart, Tasmania]], as the AAD headquarters is in the nearby town of [[Kingston, Tasmania|Kingston]].{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} P&O sometimes charter the ship for other work during winter.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}


In 1998, the ''Aurora Australis'' became stranded in ice and was attempted to be towed into clear water by the Japanese icebreaker [[Shirase (1981 icebreaker)|Shirase]]. The onboard engineers afforded temporary repairs and the vessel was able to make its way to clear water under its own power.<ref>http://classroom.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/99496/international-coop.pdf</ref>
In 1998, ''Aurora Australis'' became stranded in ice and was attempted to be towed into clear water by the Japanese icebreaker [[Shirase (1981 icebreaker)|''Shirase'']]. The onboard engineers afforded temporary repairs and the vessel was able to make its way to clear water under its own power.<ref>http://classroom.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/99496/international-coop.pdf</ref>


On 8 May 2011, ''Aurora Australis'' was chartered by the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]] for a two-month deployment (ending 30 June) as an amphibious transport ship supporting the [[Royal Australian Navy]].<ref name=DefenceAmphibious/> The charter, costing A$3.375 million, was to assist in the Australian government response to humanitarian crises and natural disasters that occurred while the naval heavy lift ship {{HMAS|Tobruk|L 50|6}} underwent maintenance.<ref name=DefenceAmphibious>{{cite press release |title=Amphibious Ship Update |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Claretpl.cfm?CurrentId=11792 |publisher=The Hon. Jason Clare MP Minister for Defence Materiel |date=11 May 2011 |accessdate=13 May 2011| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110526144143/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Claretpl.cfm?CurrentId=11792| archivedate= 26 May 2011 | deadurl= no}}</ref>
On 8 May 2011, ''Aurora Australis'' was chartered by the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]] for a two-month deployment (ending 30 June) as an amphibious transport ship supporting the [[Royal Australian Navy]].<ref name=DefenceAmphibious/> The charter, costing A$3.375 million, was to assist in the Australian government response to humanitarian crises and natural disasters that occurred while the naval heavy lift ship {{HMAS|Tobruk|L 50|6}} underwent maintenance.<ref name=DefenceAmphibious>{{cite press release |title=Amphibious Ship Update |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Claretpl.cfm?CurrentId=11792 |publisher=The Hon. Jason Clare MP Minister for Defence Materiel |date=11 May 2011 |accessdate=13 May 2011 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110526144143/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Claretpl.cfm?CurrentId=11792|archivedate=26 May 2011 |deadurl=no}}</ref>


In December 2013, ''Aurora Australis'', Chinese research vessel [[MV Xue Long|''Xuě Lóng'']] and French icebreaker ''[[L'Astrolabe (icebreaker)|L'Astrolabe]]'' attempted to rescue ''[[Akademik Shokalskiy]]'', trapped in an outbreak of old glacial ice in the [[Antarctic Ocean]]. ''Xuě Lóng'' reached within 6NM of the ship before being forced to turn back. ''L'Astrolabe'' failed to reach that far before turning back to open water. ''Aurora Australis'' reached within {{convert|10|nmi}} before also being forced to turn back.<ref>{{cite news |work= American Morning |date= 30 December 2013 |time= 07h25 |publisher= CNN TV }}</ref> After failure of all three icebreakers to reach the beset vessel, the personnel aboard ''Akademik Shokalskiy'' flattened a helipad on the ice to prepare for helicopter evacuation when the weather cleared. On 2 January 2014, the helirescue was performed by ''Xuě Lóng''{{'}}s helicopters, directly transferring people from ''Akademik Shokalskiy'' to a makeshift helipad prepared on the sea-ice near the ''Aurora Australis'', the boat transfer having been cancelled due to excess ice around ''Xuě Lóng''; left aboard were 22 crew members to attempt to free the ship when winds clear the ice, or when a Russian heavy icebreaker arrives to clear a path. The rescued people were expected back in Hobart, Australia, in mid-January, after ''Aurora Australis'' completed her scheduled resupply of Casey Station which was interrupted for the rescue mission.<ref>{{cite news |work= American Morning |date= 2 January 2014 |time=09h20 EST |publisher= CNN TV }}</ref>
In late December 2013, ''Aurora Australis'', Chinese research vessel [[MV Xue Long|''Xuě Lóng'']] and French icebreaker ''[[L'Astrolabe (icebreaker)|L'Astrolabe]]'' attempted to rescue ''[[Akademik Shokalskiy]]'', which had become stranded in thick Antarctic ice in [[Watt Bay]].<ref name=Martinez>{{cite news |url=http://us.cnn.com/2013/12/28/world/antarctica-ship-stuck/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 |title=Chinese icebreaker turns back from Antarctic rescue mission |last1=Martinez |first1=Michael |last2=Yan |first2=Holly |last3=Yan |first3=Cy |date=28 December 2013 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=Phillips>{{cite news |url=http://www.traveller.com.au/aurora-australis-abandons-attempt-to-save-akademik-shokalskiy-in-antarctica-302na |title=Aurora Australis abandons attempt to save Akademik Shokalskiy in Antarctica |last=Phillips |first=Nicky |work=Traveller |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=30 December 2013 |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref> None of the three ships were able to reach the Russian icebreaker, with ''Aurora Australis'' aborting efforts on the morning of 30 December, due to the risk of the ship also becoming stuck.<ref name=Martinez/><ref name=Phillips/> On 2 February, the 52 passengers from ''Akademik Shokalskiy'' were transported by helicopter to ''Aurora Australis'' by ''Xuě Lóng''{{'}}s helicopter (the Chinese icebreaker having become trapped as well).<ref name=Phillips2>{{cite news |url=http://www.traveller.com.au/akademik-shokalskiy-rescue-tears-of-joy-as-passengers-come-in-from-the-cold-307y6 |title=Akademik Shokalskiy rescue: tears of joy as passengers come in from the cold |last=Phillips |first=Nicky |work=Traveller |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=3 January 2014 |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref> After the rescue, ''Aurora Australis'' continued on her original mission to resupply [[Casey Station]], before returning to Hobart on 22 January.<ref>{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |date=16 January 2016 |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/01/15/australian-icebreaker-heading-home |title=Australian icebreaker heading home |publisher=SBS |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/01/22/antarctic-cruise-routes-face-scrutiny?cid=cxenseab_a |title=Antarctic cruise routes face scrutiny |publisher=SBS |date=22 January 2014 |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref>


==Replacement==
On 5 January 2014, the {{convert|399|ft|m|adj=on}} [[USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)|USCGC ''Polar Star'']] departed Sydney to assist in freeing the Chinese icebreaker and the Russian ship.<ref>{{cite news|work= Yahoo News |date= 5 January 2014|title= US icebreaker heads to Antarctic to help stuck ships |url= http://news.yahoo.com/us-icebreaker-heads-antarctic-help-stuck-ships-210419227.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.usni.org/2014/01/06/u-s-icebreaker-assist-stuck-russian-chinese-ships |title=U.S. Icebreaker to Assist Stuck Russian, Chinese Ships |date=6 January 2014 |accessdate=6 January 2014}}</ref> On 7 January 2014, a change of wind direction which loosened the icepack around the ships enabled ''Xuě Lóng'' and ''Akademik Shokalskiy'' to work their own way free before the American ship arrived.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25635690 |title=Antarctic ships escape from ice trap as weather changes |date=7 January 2014 |publisher=The BBC |accessdate=7 January 2014}}</ref>
The predicted end of service life for ''Aurora Australis'', after the most recent round of refits, is May 2017.<ref name=Darby>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-defends-plan-to-build-1b-icebreaker-overseas-20151029-gklqzd.html |title=Malcolm Turnbull defends plan to build $1b icebreaker overseas |last=Darby |first=Andrew |date=29 October 2015 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref> In late October 2015, the Australian government announced a plan to acquire a new icebreaker to replace ''Aurora Australis'' by 2019.<ref name=IkinBolgerGamenz>{{cite news |last1=Ikin |first1=Sam |last2=Bolger |first2=Rosemary |last3=Gamenz |first3=Emilie |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-29/pm-turnbull-releases-details-of-new-500-million-icebreaker/6893848 |title=New $500 million icebreaker Australia's biggest investment the Antarctic program, Prime Minister says |work=ABC News |date=29 October 2015 |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref> The vessel will be custom-built for the Australian government at a cost of up to A$1 billion (''ABC News'' reported a predicted cost of A$500 million, while ''The Sydney Morning Herald''{{'}}s reporting of the A$1 billion figure included lifetime operating costs), with [[DMS Maritime]] as the preferred tenderer and maintainer, naval architects [[Knud E. Hansen]] as the designer, and [[Damen Group]] as the shipbuilder.<ref name=IkinBolgerGamenz/><ref name=Darby/> P&O were originally in competition for the tender, but withdrew in January 2015, citing costing inefficiencies in the proposed contract.<ref name=Darby/> As of October 2015, there has been no decision made on how to cover the capability gap between the two vessels.<ref name=Darby/>

The proposed vessel will have a displacement of 23,800 tonnes and be {{convert|156|m}} long, with a top speed of {{convert|16|kn}} and a cruising speed of {{covnert|12|kn}}.<ref name=IkinBolgerGamenz/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2015-10-29/australias-new-icebreaker |title=Australia's New Icebreaker |date=29 October 2015 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref> The ship will carry up to 116 crew and passengers, and a cargo capacity of {{convert|3,000|m2}}, including 96 [[intermodal container|shipping containers]].<ref name=IkinBolgerGamenz/> The vessel will be able to break ice up to {{convert|1.65|m}} at {{convert|3|kn}}.<ref name=IkinBolgerGamenz/> The icebreaker is expected to be operational by October 2019, and will be [[home-port]]ed in Hobart for the ship's 30-year operational lifespan.<ref name=NewSOTA>{{cite web|url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2015-10-29/australias-new-state-art-icebreaker-unveiled |title=Australia's New State-of-the-art Icebreaker Unveiled |date=29 October 2015 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 110: Line 113:
* [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/webcams/aurora Webcam aboard ''Aurora Australis'']
* [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/webcams/aurora Webcam aboard ''Aurora Australis'']
* [http://blogs.abc.net.au/news/breaking-the-ice/ Breaking the Ice] – blog from ''Aurora Australis'' by [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] reporter [[Karen Barlow]], during the January–February 2011 scientific trip to [[Mertz Glacier]]
* [http://blogs.abc.net.au/news/breaking-the-ice/ Breaking the Ice] – blog from ''Aurora Australis'' by [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] reporter [[Karen Barlow]], during the January–February 2011 scientific trip to [[Mertz Glacier]]
* [[P&O Maritime Services]]


[[Category:Icebreakers of Australia]]
[[Category:Icebreakers of Australia]]

Revision as of 13:04, 15 January 2016

Aurora Australis docked at Hobart in 2010
History
Australia
NameAurora Australis
NamesakeThe Aurora Australis
OwnerP&O Maritime Services
OperatorP&O Polar
BuilderCarrington Slipways, Tomago, New South Wales, Australia
Launched18 September 1989[citation needed]
In service30 March 1990[citation needed]
HomeportHobart
IdentificationIMO number: 8717283
StatusIn Service
General characteristics
TypeIcebreaker
Tonnage
Displacement8,158 tons
Length94.91 m (311.4 ft)
Beam20.3 m (67 ft)
Draught7.862 m (25.79 ft)
Depth10.43 m (34.2 ft)
Ice classLR 1A Super Icebreaker
Installed powerWärtsilä 16V32D (5,500 kW) and 12V32D (4,500 kW)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 16.8 knots (31.1 km/h; 19.3 mph) (max)
  • 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) (cruising)
  • 2.5 knots (4.6 km/h; 2.9 mph) (1.23 m (4.0 ft) ice)
Capacity
  • 1,700 m3 (60,000 cu ft) of break bulk cargo
  • 1,000 m3 (35,000 cu ft) of supply fuel in tanks
  • 29 TEU
  • 116 passengers
Crew24
Aircraft carriedUp to four helicopters
Aviation facilitiesHangar and helideck

Aurora Australis is an Australian icebreaker. Built by Carrington Slipways and launched in 1989, the vessel is owned by P&O Maritime Services, but is regularly chartered by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) for research cruises in Antarctic waters and to support Australian bases in Antarctica.

Design and construction

Designed as a multi-purpose research and resupply ship, Aurora Australis was built by Carrington Slipways in Tomago, New South Wales.[1] The vessel was launched in September 1989.[1]

Aurora Australis berthed in Hobart under a rainbow, with the French research vessel L'Astrolabe to the right.

Aurora Australis is 94.91 metres (311.4 ft) long, and has a beam of 20.3 metres (67 ft), draught of 7.862 metres (25.79 ft) and moulded depth of 10.43 metres (34.2 ft). Her displacement is 8,158 tons, gross tonnage 6,574 and deadweight tonnage 3,911 tons.[1] Her propulsion machinery consists of two Wärtsilä medium-speed diesel engines in father-son arrangement, one 16-cylinder 16V32D producing 5,500 kW and one 12-cylinder 12V32D producing 4,500 kW. Both engines are coupled to a single shaft through a reduction gear, driving a single, left-hand-turning controllable-pitch propeller in a nozzle.[2] Slow speed manoeuvring is achieved with three manoeuvring thrusters, one forward and two aft.[2] Aurora Australis has a maximum speed of 16.8 knots (31.1 km/h; 19.3 mph),[citation needed] and a cruising speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph).[1] The vessel can break level ice up to 1.23 metres (4 ft 0 in) thick at 2.5 knots (4.6 km/h; 2.9 mph).[1][3]

Aurora Australis is served by a crew of 24[3] and carry up to 116 passengers accommodated in three or four-bunk cabins with attached bathrooms.[1][4] The ship has a cargo capacity of 1,700 cubic metres (60,000 cu ft) for break bulk or 29 twenty-foot equivalent containers, and a supply tank that can hold 1,000 cubic metres (35,000 cu ft) of fuel.[citation needed] The ship is fitted with laboratories for biological, meteorological, and oceanographic research, and was designed with a trawl deck for the deployment and recovery of research instruments while at sea.[1] The ship's hangar and helideck allow for the operation of up to three helicopters,[1] usually Eurocopter Squirrels or Sikorsky S-76s.[citation needed]

Operations

Researchers from Aurora Australis observing a pair of penguins

Aurora Australis is chartered by the AAD over the southern summer for research purposes, and to support the Antarctic bases operated by the AAD.[4] The vessel spends most winters in port in Hobart, Tasmania, as the AAD headquarters is in the nearby town of Kingston.[citation needed] P&O sometimes charter the ship for other work during winter.[citation needed]

In 1998, Aurora Australis became stranded in ice and was attempted to be towed into clear water by the Japanese icebreaker Shirase. The onboard engineers afforded temporary repairs and the vessel was able to make its way to clear water under its own power.[5]

On 8 May 2011, Aurora Australis was chartered by the Department of Defence for a two-month deployment (ending 30 June) as an amphibious transport ship supporting the Royal Australian Navy.[4] The charter, costing A$3.375 million, was to assist in the Australian government response to humanitarian crises and natural disasters that occurred while the naval heavy lift ship HMAS Tobruk underwent maintenance.[4]

In late December 2013, Aurora Australis, Chinese research vessel Xuě Lóng and French icebreaker L'Astrolabe attempted to rescue Akademik Shokalskiy, which had become stranded in thick Antarctic ice in Watt Bay.[6][7] None of the three ships were able to reach the Russian icebreaker, with Aurora Australis aborting efforts on the morning of 30 December, due to the risk of the ship also becoming stuck.[6][7] On 2 February, the 52 passengers from Akademik Shokalskiy were transported by helicopter to Aurora Australis by Xuě Lóng's helicopter (the Chinese icebreaker having become trapped as well).[8] After the rescue, Aurora Australis continued on her original mission to resupply Casey Station, before returning to Hobart on 22 January.[9][10]

Replacement

The predicted end of service life for Aurora Australis, after the most recent round of refits, is May 2017.[11] In late October 2015, the Australian government announced a plan to acquire a new icebreaker to replace Aurora Australis by 2019.[12] The vessel will be custom-built for the Australian government at a cost of up to A$1 billion (ABC News reported a predicted cost of A$500 million, while The Sydney Morning Herald's reporting of the A$1 billion figure included lifetime operating costs), with DMS Maritime as the preferred tenderer and maintainer, naval architects Knud E. Hansen as the designer, and Damen Group as the shipbuilder.[12][11] P&O were originally in competition for the tender, but withdrew in January 2015, citing costing inefficiencies in the proposed contract.[11] As of October 2015, there has been no decision made on how to cover the capability gap between the two vessels.[11]

The proposed vessel will have a displacement of 23,800 tonnes and be 156 metres (512 ft) long, with a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and a cruising speed of Template:Covnert.[12][13] The ship will carry up to 116 crew and passengers, and a cargo capacity of 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft), including 96 shipping containers.[12] The vessel will be able to break ice up to 1.65 metres (5 ft 5 in) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph).[12] The icebreaker is expected to be operational by October 2019, and will be home-ported in Hobart for the ship's 30-year operational lifespan.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Aurora Australis". Australian Antarctic Division. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b Barlow, Karen (25 January 2011). "Revhead heaven in icebreaker's engine room". ABC News Online. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  3. ^ a b Departmental investigation into the engine room fire onboard the Australian Antarctic Research and Supply Vessel Aurora Australis at the Antarctic ice edge on 22 July 1998. MIIU. Retrieved 2 April 2012
  4. ^ a b c d "Amphibious Ship Update" (Press release). The Hon. Jason Clare MP Minister for Defence Materiel. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ http://classroom.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/99496/international-coop.pdf
  6. ^ a b Martinez, Michael; Yan, Holly; Yan, Cy (28 December 2013). "Chinese icebreaker turns back from Antarctic rescue mission". CNN. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  7. ^ a b Phillips, Nicky (30 December 2013). "Aurora Australis abandons attempt to save Akademik Shokalskiy in Antarctica". Traveller. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  8. ^ Phillips, Nicky (3 January 2014). "Akademik Shokalskiy rescue: tears of joy as passengers come in from the cold". Traveller. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  9. ^ Australian Associated Press (16 January 2016). "Australian icebreaker heading home". SBS. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  10. ^ Australian Associated Press (22 January 2014). "Antarctic cruise routes face scrutiny". SBS. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d Darby, Andrew (29 October 2015). "Malcolm Turnbull defends plan to build $1b icebreaker overseas". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e Ikin, Sam; Bolger, Rosemary; Gamenz, Emilie (29 October 2015). "New $500 million icebreaker Australia's biggest investment the Antarctic program, Prime Minister says". ABC News. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Australia's New Icebreaker". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Australia's New State-of-the-art Icebreaker Unveiled". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
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