Photos: Coast Guard cutter arrives in Antarctica

The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Polar Star arrived at the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station in Antarctica Tuesday after cutting a resupply channel through more than 60 miles of Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea.

The Polar Star cuts a navigable channel through the frozen Ross Sea off of Antarctica on Jan. 16, 2017. USCG photo.

By carving a navigable path through seasonal and multiyear ice, the Polar Star assists in the annual delivery of operating supplies and fuel for two of NSF's three U.S. research stations in Antarctica.

The Polar Star is the only operational U.S. heavy icebreaker capable of conducting the Antarctic resupply mission. The cutter, which was built more than 40 years ago, has a crew of more than 140. The 399'x83'6" vessel has a draft of 28', weighs 13,500 tons and uses 75,000 hp to muscle its way through ice thicknesses of up to 21'.

The snow-covered bow of the Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star. USCG photo.

In the past few years, the Polar Star’s crew worked through approximately 12 to 13 miles of ice in an effort to reach McMurdo Station. This year, there was more than 60 miles of ice to break, with thickness ranging from 2' to more than 10'.

“We experienced a significantly larger ice field this year compared to the last several years,” said Capt. Michael Davanzo, commanding officer of the Polar Star. “In several areas, the ice was under considerable pressure and covered with several inches of snow, slowing our progress. Despite these challenges, the crew worked around the clock to prepare the resupply channel before the arrival of the first ship.”

Ice placed under pressure by nearby land mass or glacial movement can cause considerable friction, often pinching the vessel between the two plates of ice that the cutter creates during the icebreaking process. Additionally, a snow layer can create resistance between the cutter and the ice, slowing the ship’s progress.

After refueling at McMurdo Station, the Polar Star crew will continue to develop and maintain the ice channel in preparation of the first of two resupply ships, which are scheduled to arrive in the area in late January.

The Polar Star is homeported in Seattle.

The Coast Guard cutter Polar Star cuts through Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea near a large group of seals as the ship’s crew creates a navigation channel for supply ships. USCG photo.