A luxury cruise ship carrying 200 passengers became dramatically stuck in thick ice near Antarctica over the weekend, prompting a high-stakes rescue operation by the United States Coast Guard. The Australian-owned vessel, Scenic Eclipse II, found itself trapped in dense ice while navigating the treacherous waters of the Ross Sea late on Friday evening.
Dramatic Rescue Mission Unfolds
The US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, the service's most powerful icebreaker, was dispatched to perform the critical rescue mission on Saturday. Passengers aboard the Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours ship were observed on deck as the Polar Star carved a path through the formidable ice. The icebreaker's crew executed two precise, close passes to fracture the ice encasing the cruise ship, ultimately freeing the vessel from its frozen prison.
Passenger Accounts of the Perilous Situation
Steven Falk, a passenger on board the Scenic Eclipse II, provided a firsthand account of the incident on social media. 'We got stuck in sea ice that quickly froze to five feet thick,' Falk wrote. 'We were lucky that the icebreaker Polar Star was in the vicinity and could come cut us out. Without the icebreaker, this might have been an epic disaster.'
Falk detailed that the cruise was on a specialised itinerary, scheduled to visit significant Antarctic landmarks including the Ross Sea, the colossal Ross Ice Shelf, and the historic Shackleton and Scott huts near McMurdo Station. Remarkably, he noted that just hours before becoming trapped, the ship had been the southernmost vessel on the planet, venturing within mere miles of the southernmost oceanic point on Earth. 'VERY lucky to have the icebreaker nearby is what I’m saying,' he emphasised.
The Mighty Polar Star Icebreaker
According to official statements, the Polar Star had embarked on its 29th deployment from Seattle to Antarctica in November. This mission forms part of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides essential logistical support for the United States Antarctic Program. The cruise ship, capable of accommodating up to 228 passengers and 176 crew members, was successfully escorted from the ice—approximately eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound—into open, navigable waters.
The Polar Star, commissioned in January 1976, is celebrated as the Coast Guard's most powerful ship and the nation's sole heavy icebreaker. Captain Jeff Rasnake, the vessel's commanding officer, praised his crew's dedication. 'I am constantly amazed at this crew’s tremendous energy and enthusiasm,' he stated. 'Despite the many challenges associated with getting and keeping this ship on mission, they remain eternally positive and committed to meeting the high standards we’ve set for ourselves.'
A Legacy of Polar Operations
The Polar Star boasts an extensive service record, having completed dozens of Operation Deep Freeze missions and numerous Arctic deployments. Its duties are critical and varied, encompassing the defence of U.S. sovereignty, the security of vital shipping lanes, the protection of energy and mineral resources, and countering adversarial presence in the polar regions.
Despite its age, the cutter continues to demonstrate unparalleled heavy icebreaking capability, routinely operating in conditions that few other vessels could navigate. Commander Samuel Blase, Polar Star's Executive Officer, highlighted this enduring prowess, noting that the 50-year-old ship 'remains the world's most capable non-nuclear icebreaker.'
'That’s a testament to the crews that have maintained it over the decades,' Blase added. 'With years of service left to give, Polar Star will continue to guide the way in the high latitudes well into the future.'
Captain Rasnake reflected on the ship's storied history, placing it among other legendary Coast Guard icebreakers like the USCGC Glacier. The Polar Star's 50th anniversary serves as both a celebration of its past achievements and a potent reminder of its ongoing, crucial role in polar operations. The Daily Mail has contacted Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours for further comment on the incident.
