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The U.S. Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star has freed the luxury expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II after it became trapped in thick ice in the Ross Sea during an Antarctic voyage.
The incident occurred on 17 January 2026, when the Scenic Eclipse II encountered heavy ice conditions and was unable to proceed. The cruise ship contacted the Polar Star late that evening, reporting it was stuck approximately eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound.
Responding to the call, the Polar Star conducted two close icebreaking passes, successfully clearing a path and escorting the cruise vessel four nautical miles to open water. No injuries or damage were reported.
The Scenic Eclipse II, operated by Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, carries up to 228 passengers and 176 crew members and is designed for polar operations, though ice conditions in the area proved too severe to navigate without assistance.
The operation coincided with a notable milestone for the Polar Star, which marked its 50th anniversary on the same day. Commissioned on 17 January 1976, the vessel is the most powerful ship in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet and the nation’s only heavy icebreaker.
The Polar Star was en route to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze 2026, an annual mission to deliver supplies and support personnel at U.S. research stations operated under the U.S. Antarctic Program. The vessel plays a critical role in maintaining access to McMurdo Station, the largest U.S. facility on the continent.
Departing its homeport in Seattle in November, the Polar Star is expected to remain on station for several months before returning north.
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