Tourists and scientists aboard a Russian ship trapped for eight days in ice off Antarctica are preparing a landing space to allow a helicopter to land and rescue them.

A helicopter on board a nearby Chinese icebreaker is on standby after an Australian icebreaker on Monday failed to reach the ship, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.

Rescuers plan to move all of the 52 passengers from the ship to the Chinese vessel, the Snow Dragon, with most crew expected to stay on the Russian ship, AMSA said.

The Chinese ship got within sight of the Akademik Shokalskiy on Saturday  but turned back after failing to break the ice, which was more than 3 metres  deep in places.

Passengers will be transferred from the Snow Dragon to Australia's Antarctic supply ship, the Aurora Australis.

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