Cruise ship trapped in heavy sea ice is rescued by US Coast Guard vessel

A cruise vessel was trapped successful heavy oversea crystal connected Saturday portion sailing adjacent Antarctica.

The Scenic Eclipse II became stuck portion sailing done the Ross Sea. It requested assistance aft it was incapable to interruption done the surrounding battalion ice, the U.S. Coast Guard said successful a property release.

In footage shared by a subordinate of the Coast Guard, USCGC Polar Star is seen breaking isolated heavy crystal arsenic it approaches the stranded vessel.

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After reaching the ship’s location, the Coast Guard icebreaker made aggregate adjacent passes done the surrounding crystal to loosen the frozen pack.

The Coast Guard said the Scenic Eclipse II contacted the icebreaker precocious Friday nighttime aft becoming trapped astir 8 miles from McMurdo Sound.

A cruise vessel was trapped successful heavy oversea crystal successful Antarctica’s Ross Sea connected Saturday and required assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. (SWNS)

Once freed, the cruise vessel was escorted respective miles to unfastened h2o to guarantee it could safely proceed its voyage.

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The Scenic Eclipse II tin transportation up to 228 guests and 176 unit members, according to the cruise line's website, with reduced rider capableness during Antarctic sailings.

The Coast Guard arrived to assistance the Scenic Eclipse II aft it became trapped astir 8 miles from McMurdo Sound. (SWNS)

The Coast Guard said determination were nary reported injuries and the vas was capable to resume its journey.

"Due to changes successful the battalion ice, advancement was slower than planned, and the skipper requested assistance from the adjacent vas USCG Polar Star to wide the country unneurotic and debar a longer sailing play astatine reduced speed. The pursuing day, the earthy question of the crystal had opened up again, and conditions had normalized," Scenic Group told Fox News Digital. 

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The cruise enactment noted the infinitesimal was memorable — with champagne served connected the Observation Deck.

"We were grateful for the professionalism and practice of the unit of USCG Polar Star during our operations successful the Ross Sea. While Scenic Eclipse II was ne'er successful request of rescue services, the coordination betwixt some vessels ensured we could navigate the changing battalion crystal safely and efficiently," said Captain James Griffiths, Scenic Group’s wide manager of water operations.

The rescue coincided with a milestone for the Coast Guard vas — which marked its 50th twelvemonth of commissioned work connected the aforesaid time it assisted the cruise ship.

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"At 50 years old, Polar Star remains the world’s astir susceptible non-nuclear icebreaker," said Commander Samuel Blase, Polar Star’s enforcement officer.

The assistance came connected the aforesaid time the Coast Guard vas celebrated 50 years of commissioned service, the Coast Guard said. (SWNS)

Based successful Seattle, the Polar Star is the United States’ lone progressive dense icebreaker, according to the Coast Guard.

Commissioned successful 1976, the vas is powered by aggregate high-output engines that springiness it the quality to interruption done miles of heavy Antarctic ice.

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The Coast Guard said Polar Star conducts yearly missions to McMurdo Station successful Antarctica arsenic portion of Operation Deep Freeze, breaking done miles of crystal that tin scope up to 21 feet thick.