A luxury cruise ship bound for Antarctica, the Australian-owned Scenic Eclipse II, became stuck in thick pack ice near the Ross Sea on January 17. The US Coast Guard dispatched its icebreaker, USCGC Polar Star, to rescue the vessel. Footage shows the icebreaker cutting through the ice, creating a navigable channel that allowed Scenic Eclipse II to free itself and follow the Polar Star to safety.
The cruise ship, which accommodates up to 228 passengers and 176 crew members, was trapped about eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound. The rescue coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Polar Star, the Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker capable of navigating Antarctic waters. The ship was en route for Operation Deep Freeze 2026, resupplying US Antarctic stations.
The operation highlights the importance of the Polar Star in ensuring safe passage for vessels in extreme Antarctic conditions.
