The vessel supports the United States mission Operation Deep Freeze, which enables the resupply of McMurdo Station and New Zealand’s Scott Base. ‘‘The highlight for me aboard Polar Star was the moment we first started breaking ice. He had always had a fascination with Antarctica, and when the opportunity to join the Polar Star crew came up, he jumped at it. However, on board Polar Star, his role was to help with general ship maintenance and work with the ship’s boats. United States charge d’affaires David Gehrenbeck said Royal New Zealand Navy seariders had become an integral part of Polar Star missions.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 30, 2026 17:01 UTC