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A variety of natural factors, including
the presence of an enormous iceberg dubbed
B-15A, caused the sea ice near McMurdo
Station, the National Science Foundation's
logistical hub in Antarctica, to be far
more extensive and much thicker during
the 2001-2002 research season than previously
recorded in the history of the U.S. Antarctic
Program.
As a result, two U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers
were dispatched to Antarctica to clear
a channel into the station so that crucial
resupply and refueling operations could
be carried out. Usually, that work is
done by only one icebreaker.
NSF is making available to the media video
of the icebreakers Polar Sea and
Polar Star at work and escorting
the ships through the ice. The tape also
includes interviews with Coast Guard and
NSF officials explaining the challenges
and the importance of the successful operation
as well as animations of the sea ice extent
and of how an icebreaker breaks a channel.
Polar Star is scheduled to return
to its homeport of Seattle next week.
Polar Sea is scheduled to return
in April.
Editors: Video news release includes
footage of both Polar Sea and Polar
Star escorting ships through ice;
aerials of B-15A; interviews with Coast
Guard and NSF officials. Available via
C-band satellite on Wed., March 13 and
Thurs., March 14 from 1-1:15 p.m. ET on
Telstar 5, Transponder 16, DL 4020. Video
is also available on Betacam SP. Contact
Dena Headlee/dheadlee@nsf.gov.
For digital photographs contact Peter
West, (703) 292-8070/pwest@nsf.gov.
For more information about the logistical
challenges of conducting science in the
Polar Regions, see: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/media/01/fslogistics.htm
For a list of significant scientific breakthroughs
produced by the U.S. Antarctic Program,
see: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/media/01/fssigsci.htm
The icebreakers Polar Sea and Polar
Star guide the tanker Gus C. Darnell.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 483KB)
T he icebreakers escort the tanker to
sea.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 167KB)
The supply ship Green Wave offloads cargo
at the McMurdo Station ice pier during
a February snow squall.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 475KB)
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The icebreaker Polar Sea approaches
the ice edge.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 381KB)
The bow of the Polar sea leaves
an imprint during ice breaking operations.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 434KB)
Hunks of broken ice float along the icebreaker's
hull.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
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(Size: 515KB)
The Polar Sea and Polar Star
prepare to escort a ship down the channel.
Photo Credit: Peter West/National
Science Foundation
Select image for larger version
(Size: 353K)
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