United States To Save the World (Again)

[Hoober]

At the request of the Australian, Russian and Chinese governments, the U.S. Coast Guard is stepping up to help break up ice off Antarctica that has ensnared a pair of ships.

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star had been heading to that area anyway, having left its home port of Seattle early last month to eventually break through sea ice and refuel the U.S. Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station on Ross Island.

Now the icebreaker is retooling to help the Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy and China's Xue Long due to "sufficient concern that the vessels may not be able to free themselves from the ice," the Coast Guard said Saturday in a statement.

The Polar Star, currently in Sydney, will take on supplies and head out Sunday on what should be a seven-day voyage to the ships in Commonwealth Bay, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

"We are always ready and duty-bound to render assistance in one of the most remote and harsh environments on the face of the globe," said Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, the U.S. Coast Guard's Pacific commander.
The Akademik Shokalskiy has been stranded since December 24, 2013.

The Australian agency formally requested the Americans help on Friday. The Coast Guard noted that the governments of Russia and China also asked for U.S. assistance.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/04/world/antarctica-ships-stuck/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

 

[EvilYoda]

I read an article when the initial ship got stuck - does that mean that a Chinese ship was sent to help and got stuck as well? Or did I remember the initial story incorrectly...

edit: briefly skimmed the article...yep, Chinese ship got stuck too, heh.

 

[Markbnj]

I'm glad we're going to try to help. The Polar Star is a beast but the other ships that have tried weren't toys either, and from what I've read and the photos I've seen that ice is going to be tough to break.

 

[Thermalzeal]

Can't we just detonate a hydrogen bomb sub surface? I'm pretty sure the shockwave and pressure beneath the ice will shatter the entire surface lickity split.

 

[ViperXX]

 

[Ns1]

Can't we just detonate a hydrogen bomb sub surface? I'm pretty sure the shockwave and pressure beneath the ice will shatter the entire surface lickity split.

Yeah I'm sure that's good for the environment

 

[alcoholbob]

Don't worry, the operation is financed by the Petrodollar.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

This reminds me of that Darwin Award legend where they all go down the well to save the chicken.

 

[Newbian]

Yeah I'm sure that's good for the environment

Only one way to test it. :biggrin:

 

[gorcorps]

Yeah I'm sure that's good for the environment

Hydrogen is natural

No problem

 

[Aaviel]

I read an article when the initial ship got stuck - does that mean that a Chinese ship was sent to help and got stuck as well? Or did I remember the initial story incorrectly...

edit: briefly skimmed the article...yep, Chinese ship got stuck too, heh.

I went to post the same thing and saw your comment. Hopefully three ships don't get stuck...

 

[gorcorps]

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)

Nickname: Building 10, Polar Spare, Brand X, Wide Ass Government Building, Red Tubs of Fun[1]

ROFL

 

[BladeVenom]

So two ships are stuck now, lets send in a third? Hmm...

 

[Ns1]

So two non-American ships are stuck now, lets send in a third American one? Hmm...MURICA FUCK YEAH

FTFY

 

[ViRGE]

Well this should offer some good press for the Coast Guard's icebreaking activities. The Polar ships are in need of replacement, so good press could help get that off the ground.

So two ships are stuck now, lets send in a third? Hmm...

Polar Star is apparently rated to break ice up to 21ft thick, a thickness much greater than the other ships. If so, that would be extremely remarkable if it were to get stuck. The ice holding back the Russian ship is less than half that thick, IIRC.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Isn't the Russian ship that is stuck one of the Nuclear powered super beasts?

edit: oops its not here is the one I thought it was one of these

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_icebreaker

 

[sdifox]

If I remember the sequence of events correctly.

Russian research icebreaker go to Antarctica with Climate scientists
Scientists didn't heed warning that they would be iced in if they did not hurry.
They get iced in.
Chinese Icebreaker comes, sends chopper to pick up scientists. Russian crew stay on board.
Chinese Icebreaker get stuck when an iceberg sneaked up and blocked its exit route.
Australian Icebreaker come and the scientists were airlifted again to new ship, but are now holding position in case they had to go back in to rescue the Chinese one and maybe the Russian one to.



US sends in Polar Star. Hopefully they decide to do tandem with the Aussies to increase their chances. But it looks like the Aurora Austalis is heading home.


http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/0...r-that-rescued-them-now-trapped-in-antarctic/


Funny thing is this was a Global Warming expedition :awe:


PS I sniker at the picture in the article with the Taiwanese flag on the foreground of the PRC's Xue Long :biggrin:

 

[sixone]

Funny thing is this was a Global Warming expedition :awe:

Right? How many conferences have they cancelled due to snow storms, and now they're iced in.

 

[feralkid]

Right? How many conferences have they cancelled due to snow storms, and now they're iced in.

We get it: you're an idiot. You don't need to shout it out every single day.

 

[sixone]

We get it: you're an idiot. You don't need to shout it out every single day.

Does that mean you lack even a basic sense of humor? Or are you just here to make yourself feel good by putting others down?

 

[brainhulk]

They should just torpedo the ice from a submarine. Problem solved

 

[jammix]

Way the go USA!

 

[Newbian]

They should just torpedo the ice from a submarine. Problem solved

I recommend they make a ice breaker called Titanic II and let it get it's revenge.

 

[ralfy]

Save the world?

 

[TheSiege]

Better them out there doing something productive, helping Americas reputation than do nothing