After assisting in the rescue of 52 researchers aboard a ship trapped in Antarctic sea ice, the Chinese ice-breaking ship Snow Dragon is stuck.

Now, Aurora Australis, seven miles away from Snow Dragon, will wait in place in case the ship is needed, ABC News reported. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said Snow Dragon is not in immediate danger and Aurora's order to stay in place is just a precaution.

First, Snow Dragon will try to break free when tide conditions change. Snow Dragon carried a helicopter to the site of the stranded Akademik Shokalskiy vessel and took 52 passengers from the nearby ice to the Aurora.

"Frustrated because we had hoped to have some certainty regarding a plan for returning to family and loved ones after already many changes, but of course we are very aware why there is a new situation here and so can't be too upset," Andrew Peacock, one of the 52 rescues, told ABC News in a statement. "Having to just accept the situation for what it is and find ways to stay calm about it all and keep occupied - it's a wonderful environment, a beautiful sunset over the ice right now."

According to the Associated Press, Snow Dragon is currently on the edge of the ice pack that entrapped the Shokalskiy, a Russian ship carrying Australian researchers. The tide will be most favorable for their breakout attempt early Saturday.

The entire rescue operation, combined with the expedition itself has dragged on now for more than a month. The Shokalskiy left New Zealand Nov. 28 and was later stuck in its place when a blizzard surrounded the ship in sea ice. The thick ice foiled initial rescue attempts and the helicopter was delayed by high winds and fog.

Thursday's rescue mission took five hours and five helicopter trips. Shokalskiy passengers and crewmembers stopped flat a provisional helipad in the ice nearby the ship.

"I was immensely relieved for the people under my care," expedition co-leader Greg Mortimer told ABC News. "I was pleased with having extracted them from that situation."