This is the story of the rescue of the crew and passengers of the ship the Magdalena Oldendorf stuck in the ice in Antarctica. The Magdalena Oldendorf was tasked to collect Russian Scientists from the Russian Antarctic bases Novolazareskaya and Mirny.
As soon as she departed the pack ice surrounded her, and the Captain turned her into the safety of the Muskeg Bukta bay and anchored into the ice. She became completely trapped in the ice and with only fuel and food for 34 days the Captain sent out a distress call. Without being rescued or replenished all would have perished.
The South African Air Force agreed and quickly got two Oryx helicopters ready
(the helicopters had to be refitted with de-icing devices and long range fuel tanks ). The department of environment affairs ship the Agulhas was made ready and when the helicopters arrived on board, she set sail for the Antarctic. The Captain knew that he had to get the Agulhas within 200 miles of the stricken ship so that the helicopters could rescue the crew and scientists.
Through the roughest seas and into the ice the Agulhas got within range and the helicopters flew to the ship knowing that if they went down they would have no chance of survival or rescue. These brave men thought nothing of the danger and in temperatures of as low as minus fifty degrees went to work
The film is made up of footage taken during the rescue attempt with interviews after the fact and extra footage of the Antarctic taken this year.

The film is 36 minutes long.
So for all of the helicopter enthusiasts this is helicopter work at the limit.