The Treacherous Antarctic Fisheries – Sinking, Flooding and Fire

The Patagonian toothfish, better known on Western restaurant menus as Chilean sea bass, is in high demand.  Living in the colder waters of the southern oceans, including  Antarctica’s Ross Sea, fishing for the toothfish can be hazardous.  Within the last 30 days, 25 sailors … Continue reading

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