Video: USCGC Polar Star Rescues Australian Fishing Vessel from Antarctic Ice

The disabled fishing vessel Antarctic Chieftain is towed astern of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star through sea ice near Antarctica, Feb. 14, 2015. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

Below is some new video just released by the U.S. Coast Guard showing the rescue of 26 fishermen trapped in Antarctic ice back in mid-February.

As gCaptain reported previously, the USCG heavy icebreaker was sent to retrieve Australian-flagged fishing vessel Antarctic Chieftain last month after it became beset in heavy ice in the Southern Ocean approximately 900 miles northwest of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

The 207-foot FV Antarctic Chieftain contacted Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand earlier in the month reporting that three of its four propellers have been damaged by ice and it had lost its ability to maneuver. The RCC New Zealand then diverted the Polar Star, located more than 330 miles away, to respond to the vessel.

The fishing vessel and its 26 crew were trapped for about two weeks before the USCGC Polar Star arrived and was able to break them free.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 109,148 members