The staff of the scientific base, evacuated by a fishing boat due to the fire which has spread across the island of Amsterdam since January 15, were transferred this morning aboard the Marion Dufresne, the Taaf ship which came to their meeting.
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Published on January 18, 2025 at 6:46 p.m.,
updated January 18, 2025 at 6:59 p.m.
The 31 personnel who had to evacuate the Martin-de-Viviès scientific base in Amsterdam due to the fire which has swept through this island in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands since Wednesday, were transferred aboard the Marion Dufresne, announced Saturday January 18 the Taaf prefecture.
Having been rescued on Thursday January 16 by the crew of the SAPMER L’Austral, the agents and scientists staying on the sub-Antarctic island were transferred this morning to the Taaf supply ship, which was chartered by IFREMER in the as part of an oceanographic mission in the Kerguelen archipelago.
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The operation, which lasted an hour and a half, “took place in difficult sea and weather conditions, but in complete safety”specifies the prefecture.
The Austral was able to resume its fishing activities, while the Marion Dufresne will resume its IFREMER campaign during the day.
A joint mission from SDIS 974 and FAZSOI will travel to the island of Amsterdam in less than two weeks to take stock of the disaster.
The prefect, senior administrator of the TAAF, made a point of welcoming “the commitment and professionalism of the crews of L’Austral and Marion Dufresne who ensured the transfer of personnel and the valuable support provided by all those involved in the management of this crisis.”
