Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, made contact with the ocean floor near Heard Island during seabed mapping on Monday afternoon. This incident occurred shortly after the vessel arrived at the remote Australian territory, located approximately 4,100 kilometers (2,550 miles) southwest of Perth, as part of its inaugural Antarctic mission for the season.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) reported that there were no injuries among the 99 expeditioners and 40 crew members onboard. AAD mentioned in a statement that the crew experienced only a minor vibration when the vessel made contact with the seabed. Following the incident, Nuyina navigated to deeper waters to assess potential damage to its hull and underwater scientific equipment, pausing all operations during this evaluation phase.
Serco, the private operator of Nuyina, clarified that the vessel did not run aground or become immobilized. The company affirmed that navigation and movement remained unaffected, with only minor vibrations felt aboard. Initial assessments suggest that any damage is superficial, and ongoing internal inspections are being conducted alongside consultations with experts and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
RSV Nuyina plays a crucial role in supporting Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations, serving as the central hub for scientific research in the region. The vessel embarked on a 52-day voyage in late September, with planned stops at Casey and Davis research stations, in addition to Heard Island. AMSA is currently investigating the incident in collaboration with the AAD.
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