美国破冰船前往营救在南极被困的中俄船只

A heavy-duty U.S. icebreaker is steaming toward Antarctic waters to assist a Russian research ship trapped in ice since late last month and a Chinese vessel that got stuck offering support during a continuing drama near the South Pole, authorities said during the weekend.

官方上周末称，美国一艘重型破冰船正前往南极海域，以营救自上月下旬以来一直受浮冰围困的一艘俄罗斯科考船以及一艘为援助俄罗斯船而同样被困的中国船只。

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, which had been on its way to Antarctica, will steer toward the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalskiy and China's Xue Long, according to statements from U.S. and Australian authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard said its action comes after requests from the Russian, Chinese and Australian governments.

美国和澳大利亚官方发表声明称，美国海岸警卫队(Coast Guard)破冰船“北极星”号(Polar Star)正驶向南极，目标是俄罗斯科考船“绍卡利斯基院士”号(Akademik Shokalskiy)以及中国的“雪龙”号。美国海岸警卫队称，此次行动是应俄罗斯、中国和澳大利亚政府的请求。

The entrance of a U.S. vessel, which will need about seven more days to reach the scene, marks the latest international response to an episode that began Dec. 24 some 1,500 nautical miles south of Australia when the Russian vessel, carrying scientists, journalists and tourists, requested help.

“北极星”号还需要大约七天的时间才能抵达相关海域。此次事件始于去年12月24日。当时一艘载有科学家、记者和游客的俄罗斯船只在距澳大利亚南部约1,500海里的海域发出求救信号。美国破冰船的介入是国际社会采取的最新应对措施。

After other failed efforts to reach the stranded Russian ship, the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long late last week dispatched its helicopter for a successful rescue of 52 of those aboard the Russian ship. But shortly afterward, Xue Long confirmed that it too was 'beset by ice,' according to the Australian Maritime Safety Administration, which is coordinating the international response.

在其他靠近被困俄罗斯船只的努力均告失败之后，中国破冰船“雪龙”号在上周晚些时候派遣直升机，成功解救出俄罗斯船上的52人。但据负责协调此次国际救援的澳大利亚海事安全局(Australian Maritime Safety Administration)称，此后不久，“雪龙”号证实自己也被浮冰围困。

Authorities say there is no imminent danger to the Russian ship's 22 crew members and the 101 sailors and scientists aboard China's Xue Long. But thick ice floe complicates prospects to maneuver the vessels, some 21 kilometers from open water.

官方称，俄罗斯船上的22名船员以及中国“雪龙”号上的101名船员和科研人员目前都没有危险。但厚重的冰层使得移动船只变得相当困难，因为该地点距开阔海域约21公里。

Though somewhat shorter than the Chinese ice-cutter at 122 meters, the Polar Star is the U.S.'s only active polar-capable icebreaker and one of the world's most powerful nonnuclear ships, with an ability to crack though 1.8 meters of ice while moving or more than six meters by ramming, according to the Coast Guard.

美国海岸警卫队称，虽然船身长度较中国的“雪龙”号短，只有大约122米，但“北极星”号是美国唯一一艘现役极地破冰船，而且是全球最强大的非核动力船之一，能够连续破1.8米厚冰，如果用倒车冲击法，则可破6米厚冰。

After a three-year, $90 million upgrade, Polar Star left its home port in Seattle early last month on its first voyage to Antarctica since 2006, with plans to open a sea route for vessels to supply the U.S. base McMurdo Station.

在接受了为期三年、耗资9,000万美元的升级之后，“北极星”号在上个月初离开西雅图母港，开始了自2006年以来的首次南极之行。该船计划为驶向美国南极科研中心麦克默多站(McMurdo Station)的补给船开辟航路。

The difficulties for ships in recent days illustrate the harsh conditions near the South Pole, a region that nevertheless is drawing growing scientific and strategic interest. The Xue Long is taking part in China's effort to build a fourth Antarctic research station, the Taishan, to augment its Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun stations. China says its interest at both poles is scientific and peaceful.

南极科考船近些天来遇到的困难足以说明当地自然条件的严酷，但这一地区却吸引了越来越多的科研和战略方面兴趣。目前中国在南极已设有“长城”、“中山”和“昆仑”三个科学考察站，而“雪龙”号正参与建造中国在南极的第四个科考站“泰山站”。中国称，中方对南极和北极的兴趣都是出于科研及和平目的。

Through the weekend, Chinese state media trumpeted a call by President Xi Jinping for 'all-out efforts to ensure the safety of the staff' aboard the Xue Long. In live Chinese television broadcasts from the bridge, crew members emphasized that they are safe, with food and other supplies that can last months. Chinese authorities said they are working on an unspecified rescue strategy and contingencies, Xinhua news agency said.

整个周末，中国国家媒体都在大力报道国家主席习近平批示将尽全力确保“雪龙”号人员安全的消息。国内电视台直播了在船的舰楼上进行的报道，船员强调他们处境安全，食物等给养可供几个月之用。新华社报道说，中国有关部门称正在制定救援策略和应急预案。

An Australian icebreaker where the previously stranded scientists and tourists are now biding their time was asked Friday night to stand by to offer possible assistance to the Xue Long. On Saturday, authorities said it could depart because the Xue Long faces little immediate danger.

澳大利亚一艘破冰船上周五夜间被要求待命，向“雪龙”号提供可能的援助。此前受困的科学家和游客们正在这艘破冰船上等待撤离。上周六，有关部门说，澳大利亚破冰船可以离开，因为“雪龙”号几乎没有紧迫的危险。

The Xue Long, which left Shanghai in early November to take part in China's 30th Antarctic scientific expedition, received a formal request on Dec. 31 from the stranded Russian ship, Akademik Shokalskiy, for helicopter assistance to remove the passengers. Previous efforts by Australian and French icebreakers to get near the Akademik Shokalskiy had failed, but after several weather-related delays, the helicopter operation was a success.

“雪龙”号去年11月初离开上海，参加中国的第30次南极科考。12月31日，“雪龙”号接到被困俄罗斯科考船“绍卡利斯基院士”号以直升机撤出乘客的正式请求。此前澳大利亚和法国的破冰船接近“绍卡利斯基院士”号的努力未能获得成功，但经过几次因天气原因导致的延误后，直升机救援行动终于成功。

Still, the Xue Long appeared to encounter difficulty navigating shortly before its helicopter rescue began on Thursday, with reports from those aboard the Russian vessel suggesting the Chinese ship had become stuck.

不过，在上周四直升机救援行动开始后不久，“雪龙”号自身似乎遇到了困难，“绍卡利斯基院士”号上的人报告说，中国这艘破冰船被困住了。

Though the Australian maritime authority, which coordinates activity in the region, issued a formal denial that the Xue Long was in trouble, the authorities cited ice around the Chinese vessel as a reason to adjust the strategy for the multi-flight rescue.

尽管在当地协调行动的澳大利亚海事安全局发布了正式声明，否认“雪龙”号遇到了麻烦，但有关部门说，考虑到中国破冰船周围的浮冰的原因，需要调整救援策略。

Also, Xue Long Captain Wang Jianzhong said he was working continuously to ensure that the icebreaker wouldn't get trapped in the thick ice, according to a report posted Thursday on the website of China's State Oceanic Administration. The report highlighted particular concern that ice could damage the vessel's propeller and make navigation impossible.

中国国家海洋局网站上周四发表的一篇报道说，“雪龙”号船长王建忠说，他正在持续努力，确保这艘破冰船不会被困在厚冰中。这篇报道着重指出，海冰有可能损伤破冰船的螺旋桨，使得“雪龙”号无法航行。

Built in Ukraine in 1993 as an ice-strengthened cargo ship, the 167-meter-long Xue Long has been making polar research voyages for China since 1994.

“雪龙”号全长167米，是1993年在乌克兰建成的，具备较强的破冰能力。从1994年开始，“雪龙”号就一直为中国极地考察执行航行任务。

Capable of cutting through 1.1 meters of ice, it was strengthened and modernized by a Shanghai shipyard in 2007 at a cost of $12.5 million, according to official reports. State-of-the-art satellite-navigation systems were installed, along with 500 square meters of laboratory space and a stronger helipad. Internet capabilities and airplane-type flush toilets were added to the 120 crew rooms.

据官方报道，“雪龙”号具备连续冲破1.1米厚冰层的能力，并于2007年在上海的一家船厂耗资1,250万美元进行了加固和升级。“雪龙”号配备了先进的卫星导航系统，还有500平方米的实验室空间，直升机坪也经过加固。“雪龙”号共有120个床位，能上网，还配备了飞机上的那种冲水卫生间。

A second Chinese icebreaker, being built in China with Finnish assistance, is to be commissioned this year. With two helipads, more laboratory space and an ability to cut through ice 1.5 meters thick, according to Xinhua, the new vessel 'is expected to greatly boost the country's expedition capacities in polar and oceanic regions.'

中国正在芬兰的帮助下建造另外一艘破冰船，这艘破冰船将于今年开始服役。新华社说，该破冰船有两块停机坪，实验室空间更大，能够连续冲破1.5米厚的冰层，预计该船将极大提升中国在极地和海洋地区的远航能力。