US Supplies Antarctic Station by Russian Icebreaker

14.02.2012 Due to lack of icebreakers, the US had to ask for Russia's help. Food and fuel supplies have been delivered to Antarctic station McMurdo thanks to Russian icebreaker Vladimir Ignatyuk, reports American press on Feb 14.

The icebreaker cut a passage through Antarctic ice late Jan, and US Navy's tanker Maersk Peary has delivered millions gallons of fuel to the station. Another American ship Green Wave with wintering equipment and materials on board is also heading for the station, writes Stars and Stripes.

Reportedly, icebreaking used to be traditional mission of US Navy and US Coast Guard. However, American military has not renewed fleet for a long time, so the only way is to count on help of foreign vessels.

According to the newspaper, the US has only one serviceable icebreaker Healy which was escorting a Russian ship breaking through ice to Nome, Alaska at the time. Meanwhile, Russia operates over 20 icebreakers, writes the source.