Ross Island is surrounded by ice. About half of that is permanent ice. McMurdo is perched on the edge of Winter Quarters Bay which is frozen over with sea ice, which largely melts in the short summer. Every year, an icebreaker cuts a channel from the sea ice edge to Winter Quarters Bay, creating a safe path for the three vessels that pay us a visit.
The Oden, just off Hut Point
In years past, the icebreaker has been a Coast Guard cutter, but this year the job is being done by the Oden, operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration. The ice breaker smashes through the sea ice by letting its large front nose, filled with the ship's supply of fuel, ride up on top of the ice. The weight of the fuel and the ship cracks the ice. It is very slow going!
cutaway section of the Oden
After the icebreaker got here, the next vessel to arrive, a few weeks ago, was the Nathaniel B. Palmer, an Antarctic research vessel. Following that was the Lawrence H. Gianella, a fuel tanker, and the cargo vessel, the American Tern, just arrived.
vessel tracking map, showing where all of the vessels visiting Antarctica are currently located
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