Australia’s icebreaker Aurora Australis has been diverted to Davis research station to top up water supplies following a temporary problem with the station’s water making plant.

The ship has a water making capability and, as a precaution, will call into Davis to offload fresh water before continuing on to Mawson for the annual resupply.

Work is underway to repair the water making plant, but with the top up from the icebreaker the station will have enough water to last until next season, if needed.

The diversion of the icebreaker is not expected to impact the rest of the Antarctic season.

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