BLUE OCEAN

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Longliner under way to Nelson

The "Antarcic Chieftain" has made it to the open ocean on Feb 16 and will now head to New Zealand under its own steam after having been escorted through the ice for three days by the US Coast Guard icebreaker "Polar Star". The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) organised the rescue effort. The longliner rendezvoused with the New Zealand flagged f/v "Janas" about 75 km clear of the ice, and headed to Nelson now. The "Janas" was likely to accompany the "Antarctic Chieftain" for about two days as its performance in open water was assessed. The "Antarctic Chieftain" was currently travelling at a speed of about seven knots and could take up to two weeks to reach Nelson. The RCCNZ rescue mission coordinator Dave Wilson thanked he crew of the "Polar Star" and the US Coast Guard for an outstanding job, working around-the-clock in extreme conditions to bring the "Antarctic Chieftain" to safer waters. He also thanked the captain and crew of the "Janas" for making themselves available to provide assistance. The "Polar Star" has now resumed its voyage home to Seattle.

Disabled vessel under tow to open waters

The "Antarctic Chieftain" was taken in stern tow on Feb 14. The vessels were surrounded by 12 to 15 feet thick ice covered with two feet of snow. Upon reaching a small area of open water the "Antarctic Chieftain" commenced testing the vessel’s ability to steam under its own power. Once testing was complete, the "Polar Star" and the "Antarctic Chieftain" proceed north through another 60 miles of ice before using its own power to reach open water. Members of the military dive team aboard the "Polar Star" launched a remote operated vehicle into the water to inspect the disabled fishing vessel before it began towing the "Antarctic Chieftain" on Feb 14. The vessel was expected to reach open water in the morning of Feb 16, and if all went well might be able to make the journey back to New Zealand under its own power. The vessel was licensed to harvest Patagonian toothfish in the Southern Ocean and is operated by Australian Longline, which is half-owned by Sealord. Report with photos: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2463142/

Icebreaker will survey damaged propellers with ROV

The "Polar Star" of the U.S. Coast Guard on Feb 13 reached the "Antarctic Chieftain" which was beset in ice approximately 900 miles northeast of McMurdo Sound, after traveling more than 430 miles. The crew of the 40-year-old cutter has reported snowy conditions at times as well as large icebergs along their course to reach the vessel. The ice conditions were found to be much more formidable than expected. They were progressing well with the rescue according to Capt. Matthew Walker, commanding officer of the icebreaker. Once they have broken the ice around the "Antarctic Chieftain", the "Polar Star"’s crew will lower a remotely operated vehicle into the water for a better look at the damaged propeller blades. The fishing vessel suffered damage to three of its four propeller blades when it became stuck in the ice and has lost its ability to maneuver. Once the overall damage of the ship has been assessed, the "Polar Star" will then attempt to free the vessel from the ice. If the vessel’s propulsion is inoperable, the "Polar Star" may have to tow the vessel from the ice field. Once the "Antarctic Chieftain" is freed from the ice, the New Zealand-flagged fishing vessel "Janas" was scheduled to escort or tow the vessel to the nearest safe harbor. The "Janas" was now approximately 630 miles away from the "Antarctic Chieftain"’s position. When RCC New Zealand requested the "Polar Star" to respond to the "Antarctic Chieftain"’s request for assistance, the ship with a 150-person crew of was deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides military logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) The National Science Foundation manages the USAP. Report with photos: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2462906/