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Antarctic Ice Rescue: Cruise Ship Freed by US Coast Guard
26 Jan
Summary
- Cruise ship with 200 passengers trapped in dense Antarctic ice.
- US Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star conducted the rescue operation.
- The trapped vessel was the Australian-owned Scenic Eclipse II.
A cruise ship carrying 200 passengers, the Australian-owned Scenic Eclipse II, became trapped in dense ice in Antarctica's Ross Sea. The incident occurred on Friday evening, with the vessel finding itself ensnared in ice up to five feet thick.
Passengers were safely on deck as the United States Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star arrived to perform a rescue operation on Saturday. The Polar Star, the US Coast Guard's sole heavy icebreaker, made passes to break the ice surrounding the Scenic Eclipse II.
Steven Falk, a passenger, described the situation as a potential disaster averted by the timely arrival of the icebreaker. The cruise itinerary included visits to the Ross Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, and historical huts near McMurdo Station.
The Polar Star is on its 29th deployment to Antarctica, providing logistical support for the US Antarctic Program. Commissioned in 1976, the 50-year-old vessel remains a critical asset for polar operations, demonstrating unmatched icebreaking capabilities.
After being freed, the Scenic Eclipse II, which can accommodate 228 passengers and 176 crew, was escorted to open water. The rescue highlights the crucial role of heavy icebreakers in polar regions.
