A Russian icebreaker sent to rescue a U.S. Antarctic base is halfway there, Interfax news agency reported Thursday. The icebreaker Krasin left Vladivostock on Russia's Pacific coast on Dec. 21 and is scheduled to rendezvous with an American icebreaker on the outer edge of the Antarctic ice pack on Jan. 20, Interfax said. The two ships will then seek to rescue the McMurdo research base. The base at McMurdo Sound is the main scientific base of the Antarctica program of the U.S. National Science Foundation. The Krasin will clear the way for cargo ships carrying fuel, food and medicines. Otherwise the McMurdo station personnel would have to be evacuated, Interfax said The rescue operation was requested by the U.S. government. Traditionally, two icebreakers of the U.S. Coast Guard, Polar Sea and Polar Star, cater to the needs of the McMurdo station. However, their capacity is several times smaller than that of the Krasin and one of them is currently being repaired, the news agency said. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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