Icy reception for rescue ship

The Australian-flagged Antarctic Chieftain is expected to remain under tow through ice by US Coast Guard cutter Polar Star for some time.

In this image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard the Austrailian fishing vessel the Antarctic Chieftain is seen from the the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star as the cutter begins breaking up the ice around the vessel Friday Feb. 13, 2015. Rescuers on Saturday reached a fishing boat with 26 people aboard trapped in ice near Antarctica and plan to use an unmanned underwater vehicle to assess the damage to it. The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star traveled several hundred nautical miles through heavy ice to reach the Antarctic Chieftan. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Lt. j.g. Gina Caylor)

The Australian-flagged Antarctic Chieftain is expected to remain under tow through ice by US Coast Guard cutter Polar Star for some time.

The 63m Antarctic Chieftain was damaged when beset by ice while fishing for toothfish about 1700km northeast of McMurdo Sound early last week.

Polar Star reached it early on Saturday, cleared ice around it and hooked up a stern tow.

The blades of Antarctic Chieftain’s propellers are too damaged to be used to for propulsion through the ice field.

The vessels are surrounded by 4.6m-thick ice covered with a layer of snow, the US Coast Guard said.

Towing through ice is slow and ice conditions can change.

“Upon reaching a small area of open water, also known as a polynya, the Antarctic Chieftain will commence testing the vessel’s ability to steam under its own power,” the Coast Guard said.

Once testing is complete, Polar Star and the Antarctic Chieftain will head north through another 60 nautical miles of ice.

The New Zealand-flagged fishing boat, Janas, will arrive in the area tonight.

It’s expected to assist the Antarctic Chieftain to reach the nearest safe harbour.

The fishing boat’s hull is not damaged and no oil has spilt. The Antarctic Chieftain is owned by Tasmanian ­company Australian Longline.

It is skippered by New Zealander Rob Climpson. The crew of 26 includes 13 New Zealanders.