The trials saw the polar research ship tested through the ice at every power level to measure its performance against expectations. The vessel’s captain, Ralph Stevens, said that team was “really pleased” with its performance.
Stevens and his team also performed a range of manoeuvres, including reversing, turning, and impact tests going into the ice at different speeds, in icy areas of the sea around the Antarctic Peninsula and Bellinghausen Sea.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), which operates the RRS Sir David Attenborough, said satellite data was used to locate suitable areas of ice for the trials.
According to the team, most manoeuvres were in fast ice, which is attached to the coast and not moving, allowing them to work out accurately the amount of energy needed to break the ice, while they also conducted tests in open and closed pack ice.
“Overall, we’re really pleased with the ship’s performance in ice trials – in some trials it actually performed...