The luxury expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II ran into trouble in the Ross Sea in Antarctica after becoming trapped in thick pack ice. The vessel was about eight nautical miles from the McMurdo area when requested assistance by the U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star.

Video from the operation shows Polar Star pushing into the ice field and cracking a path toward the expedition yacht. As the icebreaker closed in, it made multiple passes and tight loops around Scenic Eclipse II, breaking up the ice to create space and movement.

The icebreaker made two close icebreaking approaches, which eventually freed the vessel, and then escorted it roughly four nautical miles to open water.

Scenic statement: “Not a rescue just smart coordination”

Cruise Industry News published a statement from Scenic Group, which framed the situation as a safety-minded assist, not an emergency.

The company said that on January 17, 2026, changing pack ice conditions slowed progress and the captain requested Polar Star’s help “to clear the area together” and avoid a longer period of slow sailing. Scenic added that by the following day, “the natural movement of the ice had opened up again” and conditions normalized.

Scenic Group’s General Manager Ocean Operations Captain James Griffiths said the ship “was never in need of rescue services,” but praised the Polar Star crew for its professionalism, describing the operation as an example of how polar sailing relies on cooperation, seamanship, and shared responsibility.

Scenic added that the moment became a guest “highlight,” saying champagne was served on the Observation Deck so passengers could watch the two ships working together.

Polar Star isn’t just “a ship that showed up.” It’s the most powerful icebreaker in the U.S. Coast Guard, regularly operating in the Ross Sea as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which supports Antarctic research logistics.

Whether you call it a rescue or “assistance,” the visuals tell the story: Scenic Eclipse II couldn’t move through the ice on its own, and Polar Star had to come in and break it free.

In polar regions, that’s the reality plans change fast, the ice shifts faster, and when things tighten up, you call the ship built for that job.