Redding klimaatactivisten uit ijs kost 2,4 miljoen Aussiedollars

De redding tegen kerstavond van het vrachtschip Akademik Shokalskiy met klimaatactivisten en journalisten uit het metersdikke Zuidpoolijs-hier reeds beblogd– zal zo’n 2,4 miljoen Australische dollars kosten. Nadat één ijsbreker al vastliep bij de redding, moest een helicopter de opvarende evacueren. De Daily Caller meldt op bezag van de Australian:

Global warming Antarctic expedition rescue to cost millions
It wasn’t cheap to rescue the botched expedition by climate scientists that got stuck in the ice over the holidays. The rescue of the Akademik Shokalskiy from the south pole’s icy grip could cost up to $2.4 million.
The Australian reports that the rescue could cost Australia up to $2.4 million (in Aussie dollars), and that negotiations between the country’s Antarctic Division and the insurers for the failed polar voyage are now underway. The cost of the rescue includes “fuel, supplies, staff and the charter of the Aurora Australis,” the Australian reports. Though the costs to Australia of delaying scientific research and studies is harder to calculate. “We will be seeking full cost recovery through insurers for the up to $2.4 million costs incurred by the Australian government,” said Australia’s Environment Minister Greg Hunt. “We have a duty to protect life at sea and we do that willingly.”

“However, what we see here is that there are some questions as to whether or not the ship was detained by the action of those on board within an area the captain had identified as potentially being subject to being frozen in,” Hunt added. “I think we have a duty on behalf of taxpayers to seek full cost recovery.” The Russian research vessel set out with 52 passengers to the south pole last year. Climate scientists aboard wanted to use the voyage to document the effects of global warming on the arctic. But the ship ironically got stuck in the ice on Christmas Eve, at the peak of summer in the southern hemisphere.