AAD RSV Nuyina docks in Hobart after rescue of expeditioner at Casey Station

RSV Nuyina has safely returned to Hobart with a sick expeditioner after a rescue mission was launched to evacuate them from a research station in Antarctica. Latest on the rescue.

RSV Nuyina docked at MAC 2. Picture: Chris Kidd

An Australian Antarctic Division expeditioner who was medically evacuated from Antarctica has arrived safely back in Hobart.

RSV Nuyina was sent on a rescue mission to evacuate the expeditioner who had a developing medical condition at Antarctica’s Casey Station in August.

The voyage was more than 6500km, with Nuyina breaking through sea ice to reach a safe location about 144km away from Casey to evacuate the expeditioner.

“The RSV Nuyina returned to Hobart on Sunday morning, after the successful medical evacuation of an unwell expeditioner from Casey research station in Antarctica,” an AAD spokesperson said.

“The expeditioner disembarked the RSV Nuyina and was transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where they will receive specialist assessment and care.”

Aerial view of Casey and Nicholson Island - Nicholson Island, Casey Station, Bailey Peninsula - Station

The expeditioner was cared for in the icebreakers special medical facility by Polar Medicine Unit doctors, medical and nursing staff from the Royal Hobart Hospital during the week-long trip.

An AAD spokesperson previously said the ship was being prepared over the last few weeks in August, including helicopters for use in the evacuation.

“The expeditioner’s family is being kept fully informed of the situation. All other personnel on stations are accounted for and safe,” they said at the time.

For the privacy of the expeditioner, AAD is not allowed to provide information about the medical condition.

Before being posted to research stations in the Antarctic, expeditioners undergo rigorous medical screenings.

Casey Station has about 16 to 20 people who work throughout the winter period with temperatures between April to October falling down to -30C.

The AAD spokesperson said RSV Nuyina will now be prepared for the upcoming summer Antarctic season.

AAD icebreaker on route to rescue expeditioner in Antarctica – September 2, 2023

A rescue mission to evacuate an expeditioner with a developing medical condition at Antarctica’s Casey Station is underway.

The Australia Antarctic Divisions’ (AAD) icebreaker RSV Nuyina left Hobart last week and will travel over 3000km to evacuate an expeditioner from Casey Research Station.

Ship trackers reveal Nuyina is nearly at Casey Station, but it is unknown how much longer because of the winter conditions in the Southern Ocean. According to multiple tracking sites, Nuyina was estimated to arrive at Casey Station on August 31.

A ship tracker shows AAD RSV Nuyina is close to Casey Station in the Antarctic.

An AAD spokesperson confirmed Nuyina is conducting a medical evacuation of an expeditioner from the station.

“The expeditioner requires specialist medical assessment and care in Australia for a developing medical condition,” they said.

“The wellbeing of our people is our highest priority.

“The ship was prepared over the previous few weeks, including loading helicopters for use in the evacuation.

“The expeditioner’s family is being kept fully informed of the situation. All other personnel on stations are accounted for and safe.”

Aerial view of Casey research station. Chris Crerar/Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).

Expeditioners undergo rigorous medical screenings before being posted to research stations in the Antarctic. The three Antarctic stations – Casey, Davis and Mawson – have a qualified medical practitioner who can treat patients with medical, surgical and dental care.

The AAD outline living in remote locations such as Antarctica means there is limited sophistication of medical support and a limited scope for medical evacuation, which is likely to be delayed and prolonged.

Casey Station has about 16 to 20 people who work throughout the winter period. Temperatures between April to October can fall down to -30C.

Planes aren't allowed to fly to Wilkins Aerodrome runway, which is 70km southeast of Casey Research station throughout winter. RSV Nuyina is the fastest option to evacuate the expeditioner.

It comes after the AAD and TasPorts revealed the $529m icebreaker could not refuel in Hobart because it didn’t meet specific design parameters.

After a series of assessments conducted by TasPorts, Nuyina was found to be outside the minimum limits for safe transit under the Tasman Bridge.

RSV Nuyina is required to travel hundreds of kilometres north to Burnie in order to refuel the vessel.