Icebreakers

Icebreakers are indispensable for traffic through polar seas, but they're not invincible — as the current plight of a stranded Russian ship illustrates. For the past week, 74 scientists, tourists, journalists and crew members have been stuck aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy in the midst of an expedition to celebrate the centennial of Australian geologist Douglas Mawson's polar odyssey. Thick ice and bad weather have foiled efforts to free the ship. The Shokalskiy's passengers have ample supplies — but at some point, rescuers had to decide whether to keep trying to break the ship loose or use a helicopter to take them to safety. (more…)