DEAD IN THE WATER – MYSTERY AT SEA -August 22nd

At 4.00 am Ken said we are not moving. We looked out the window and it appeared we were stuck in the ice. There were some possible explanations

(a) We were stuck in the ice
(b) We stopped for the night as it looked like we were right in the middle of the sound where we would have to make a decision which route take
(c) Something had damaged the propeller and we had a big problem.

The day before and that evening we hit some heavy ice, some pieces being 6ft thick and blue ice (the hard stuff). When we went to sleep we were being bumped and banged around. How any vessel without an ice strengthened hull could do this is beyond my comprehension. The icebreaker breaks up the ice but does not create a clear sailing channel as I imagined. Following an ice breaker I still think you would need an ice strengthened hull. It is simply changed from a solid piece to broken up pieces but some are huge.

THE ANSWER TO THE MYSTERY
When we went to breakfast we got the “scoop” from the night before. We had been stuck once and the icebreaker went around the ship with the thrusters and broke us free. However the second time we were stuck that did not work. They said the ice breaker got really close with the thrusters but to no avail. So while we were at breakfast the ice breaker did the circle and thruster action again and slowly we started to move. WHEW!
We have made slow progress today with exceptionally heavy ice. It is stunningly beautiful and they have stopped pointing out polar bears they are too far away and we cannot deviate our course.
After lunch Linda, Susan and Arlene said they were going to go in the hot tub. I did not bring a swimsuit but said I would go to offer support! Well the hot tub was hot, the sun was shining and the ice was glittering. Beautiful time to sit in a hot tub. So with a little encouragement from the girls I decided to go in with my clothes on. I was wearing some fleece type pants that hold a lot of water. In my desire to participate I did not contemplate the dripping mess I would be when I left the water. Nor that I had just finished washing the outfit I was wearing. No problem, I squelched back to my cabin and rewashed the clothes it was worth it. The four girls had champagne and Brayden (Ralph’s 16 year old grandson) had a diet coke.

This evening was really neat. The ship decided to just park and wait 8 hours as there was fog ahead. Some of the group went to “hot rocks” where you eat on deck and cook your own protein on a tile heated to 450 degrees. They could not have picked a more perfect night. Surrounded by sparkling ice, sunshine and the ice breaker coming right next to the ship (really close) to break up some ice around the ship I guess to ensure we would not get too stuck. Also the helicopter took off to decide the course we would take tomorrow. They also have lobster tails available at hot rocks and that was not available on the Discover. Seven of us were having dinner with Bruno the photographer so we could not do that but we had a great dinner with Bruno and the restaurant meal was the best I have had on the ship so we were all happy. We have booked Hot Rocks for all 18 of us for the night of the 24th and cross our fingers it is a good night to be on deck as it can be VERY cold.

Tonight the expedition team had some evening entertainment that was really fun. We were all there participating. They do trivia here and team events but no emphasis placed on who actually WON. I like that it is just great to work as a team to figure out the answers. This was interrupted by yet another polar bear on our starboard side who was standing on his hind legs. We passed fairly quickly but Linda had her camera and got a shot and Ken is getting a copy of that so he can post it.