IN ITS fiftieth year of commissioned service the US Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star has come to the rescue of Australian expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II in Antarctic waters.
USCG Polar Star operates each year in the US Government’s Operation Deep Freeze and departed homeport Seattle 29 November 2025 on its latest deployment. The icebreaker’s role includes breaking a navigable channel through miles of dense Antarctic ice to allow fuel and cargo deliveries essential for sustaining research stations and operations.
Scenic Eclipse II contacted Polar Star at approximately 11 p.m., local time Friday 17 January after becoming beset in pack ice roughly eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound, the USCG reported over the past weekend. Polar Star’s crew conducted two close passes to break the vessel free, then escorted it approximately four nautical miles to open water.
In a statement Scenic Cruises said its vessel was on a voyage in the Ross Sea near McMurdo Sound when, due to changes in the pack ice, progress was slower than planned and the Captain requested assistance from Polar Star to clear the area together and avoid a longer sailing period at reduced speed.
“The following day, the natural movement of the ice had opened up again, and conditions had normalized. For our guests, the operation became a memorable highlight; champagne was served on the Observation Deck to view a unique shared experience in East Antarctica,” Scenic said.
Commissioned 17 January 1976, Polar Star is the USA’s only active heavy icebreaker and claimed as the world’s most capable non-nuclear icebreaker; it has served as a cornerstone of U.S. presence in the polar regions.
“Throughout its service life, Polar Star has completed dozens of Operation Deep Freeze missions and numerous Arctic deployments, defending U.S. sovereignty, securing critical shipping lanes, protecting energy and mineral resources, and countering our adversaries’ presence in the polar regions.
“Despite its age, the cutter continues to demonstrate unmatched heavy icebreaking capability, routinely operating in conditions few vessels can navigate,” said Capt. Jeff Rasnake, Polar Star’s commanding officer.
Separately, Royal Caribbean International has been obliged to cancel a 10-night cruise to New Zealand by the 4,202-pax Anthem of the Seas, which was scheduled to depart from Sydney today [27 January].
The ship encountered “technical issues” during its prior voyage and, according to AIS, is currently returning to Sydney from Noumea.
It is expected to arrive in Eden later this week where repairs will be undertaken.