Update: Repairs Underway to Russian Fishing Vessel Sparta with Help from Korean Icebreaker Araon

The Russian fishing vessel Sparta, which was holed by ice below the waterline in the Ross Sea off Antarctica on December 16th and has been trapped in the ice for over ten days, is now undergoing temporary repairs.  On Monday, … Continue reading

Update: Christmas Day Rescue for Russian Fishing Vessel Sparta?

The South Korean icebreaker Araon and the fishing vessel Chiyo Maru No 3 may reach the stricken Russian fishing vessel Sparta on Christmas Day. The Sparta is a 157 feet long fishing vessel with a crew of 32 aboard which … Continue reading

Stricken Fishing Vessel Sparta Not Fit for Antarctic Ice

The Russian fishing vessel Sparta is afloat, though just barely after being holed by ice at the edge of the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica.  Why was an non-ice strengthened fishing boat fishing in such treacherous waters in the first place?  That is the question being raised by the Vyacheslav Martyanov, … Continue reading

Russian Fishing Vessel Sparta Listing After Striking Sea Ice in Antarctica

The 157 feet long Russian fishing vessel, Sparta, with a crew of 32 aboard, was holed below the waterline after striking sea ice in the Ross Sea off Antarctica early Friday morning.  The vessel is reporting have a one foot hole, five feet … Continue reading

Off Antarctica, Hope Fades for Crew of Yacht Berserk

The called themselves the Wild Vikings.  They were to be the “new generation of explorers.”  From their website: The crew onboard Berserk II wish to pick up the old Norsemen traditions opposed to todays so called “civilized” and often artificial … Continue reading

Passengers on Antarctic cruise ship, Polar Star, to be evacuated after grounding

On Monday, the Polar Star struck a rock while at anchor near Detaille Island, a small island off the Northern end of Arrowsmith Peninsula in Antarctica.     The grounding damaged the outer hull of the double hulled ship.  The ship sailed for the Arctowski Station, … Continue reading