ARAON

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Submersible vanished during expedition

The submersible 'Ran', operated from the 'Araon', which had left Lyttelton on Dec 28, 2023, has disappeared in January 2024 after diving under the Antarctica. The 23-foot-long instrument was just one of three scientific submersibles of its kind. The 'Ran' was uncrewed when it vanished, which is a tragic loss for climate change research as scientists were using the autonomous machine to study the melting activity of Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier." It is also a loss for the University of Gothenburg, which purchased the 'Ran' for 38 million Swedish Krona, about $3.6 million in USD, in 2015. It was the second time the 'Ran' was taken to Thwaites Glacier to document the area under the ice. The submerisble enabled researchers to investigate depths that were previously considered unreachable. On its most recent mission, the 'Ran' was collecting close-up imaging and data of the Thwaites' underside when the researchers lost contact. It never resurfaced at its pre-programmed return point. The research team searched for the 'Ran' using acoustic search equipment, helicopters, and drones. But after 48 hours, they called off the search. At this time, all search efforts have been called off, and the 'Araon' has left the region, and there is no chance for any further search. The University's Department of Marine Sciences hopes to eventually replace the 'Ran' and continue the expeditions at Thwaites. Report with photos: https://www.businessinsider.com/submersible-missing-antarctica-doomsday-glacier-2024-2

S. Korea's icebreaker Araon to embark on rescue mission

South Korea's first icebreaker, the Araon, is set to embark on a rescue mission to help save a Russian boat trapped in the Antarctic, ship operators said Saturday. The South Korean ship, currently anchored at New Zealand's second-largest city of Christchurch, will set sail later Saturday to head for the 500-ton Russian fishing boat, they said. The Russian ship is said to be slowly sinking since its hull was punctured in a collision with an iceberg. The ship is carrying 30 crew members. Officials from the Araon said it will take about eight days to reach the Russian ship, located some 3,000 kilometers from New Zealand, but that the South Korean ship is the closest icebreaker to the ship. "We may be a little short on time, but the Araon will be able to play a vital role in the rescue mission by paving a way for rescue ships," said the ship's South Korean captain Kim Hyeon-yool. The Araon was earlier scheduled to depart Monday for South Korea's research base Jang Bo-go in the Antarctic. (Yonhap News)