A part of the ship track is plotted in this satellite image. To the right of Peter I. island,
a huge antarctic storm is visible, which crossed the ships position at the left margin of the picture
just a few days before.
During the storm there was a wind force of 12+ on the Beaufort scale around the vessel
(the top of the scale with sometimes more than 150 km/h wind speed). This was causing violent breakers of more than 15 m
height, in wich the bow
of the ice breaker sometimes completely submerged. No work can be done under such conditions, since
not even chairs keep standing on the floor without falling over. Heavy machinery or scientific
equipment can not be handled either.
Also navigation is very difficult in such a storm, the sea is completely white by the swirled up spray
and the visibility is close to zero. In addition to that, the bow of the ship has to be oriented into the
waves at all times, which is very difficult at such wind speeds. Usually, these conditions last for a few
days.
During the storm there was a wind force of 12+ on the Beaufort scale around the vessel (the top of the scale with sometimes more than 150 km/h wind speed). This was causing violent breakers of more than 15 m height, in wich the bow of the ice breaker sometimes completely submerged. No work can be done under such conditions, since not even chairs keep standing on the floor without falling over. Heavy machinery or scientific equipment can not be handled either.
Also navigation is very difficult in such a storm, the sea is completely white by the swirled up spray and the visibility is close to zero. In addition to that, the bow of the ship has to be oriented into the waves at all times, which is very difficult at such wind speeds. Usually, these conditions last for a few days.