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A scientist from the Illawarra and a University of Wollongong historian are among a group of Australian explorers stranded near Antarctica after their ship became wedged in by thick sheets of sea ice.
The Spirit of Mawson voyage, which includes scientists, explorers and tourists, is trapped in Antarctic ice floes and awaiting rescue.
University of Wollongong historian Ben Maddison and University of New South Wales scientist Chris Turney, who lives in the Illawarra, are on the voyage.
But with the nearest ship with ice-breaking abilities at least two days away, the crew will spend Christmas and Boxing Day stuck in place, about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a distress call yesterday morning, notifying the rescue co-ordination centre that the ship was trapped and would need help.
An AMSA spokeswoman said three ships had been sent to assist but it would take at least two days to reach them.
"It's in quite a remote part of the world.
"But we have everyone safe," she said.
"The vessel isn't in any immediate danger."
It is not known how long the ship has been unable to break free from the ice floes.
The Russian-built ship, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, left New Zealand in late November and has about 50 passengers on board and 20 crew members.
The ship's voyage is part of a research expedition to commemorate the centenary of Douglas Mawson's exploration.
Australasian Antarctic Expedition leader Chris Turney, who lives in the Illawarra, did not seem too bothered by being stranded in the area.
On Twitter, Professor Turney wrote yesterday: "Heavy ice. Beautiful; light wind. Only -1degC. All well. Merry Xmas everyone from AAE."
The privately funded expedition included returning to Mawson's Huts on Antarctica, which had been inaccessible for many years because of an iceberg.