Scott Base 'under threat' from ageing icebreakers

Ageing icebreakers have put New Zealand and the United States' Antarctic programmes under threat, it was reported today.

National Radio said an unusual build-up of ice in McMurdo Sound meant the American icebreakers, which are nearing the end of their life span, were having trouble getting through.

New Zealand's Scott Base and the American McMurdo Sounds station are serviced by sea through McMurdo Sound. While other supplies can be flown in to the bases, fuel has to be delivered by sea.

It is estimated it would cost half a billion dollars to refit the icebreakers for the long term.

New Zealand Antarctic Institute chief executive Lou Sanson said ship access was crucial

"Without ship access you can't get fuel," he said. "McMurdo and Scott Base are inextricably linked to sea access into McMurdo Sound and it is the southernmost piece of ocean, so it's a tricky piece of water to get into."

National Radio said New Zealand was working with the United States Coastguard on how to proceed.

Mr Sanson said the threat had been around for three or four years since giant icebergs carved off the Ross Ice Shelf, blocking McMurdo Sound.

Fortunately in the past few months they had almost all gone away.

The United States had been able to put a channel into the Sound, though the ice was very thick.

Mr Sanson said the United States had put in a very thorough process in investigating options on how to resupply the area.

He said the final decisions had not yet been made and there were still two years icebreaking capability in place.

New Zealand was working with the United States and Italy on how they could all contribute to the issue.

- NZPA