The US Coast Guard cutter Polar Star is towing the Australian-flagged fishing vessel Antarctic Chieftain to open water in Antarctica after freeing it from ice.
The 63-metre Antarctic Chieftain was damaged when it was beset by ice while fishing for toothfish about 1700km northeast of McMurdo Sound on Tuesday night.
Polar Star reached the Antarctic Chieftain about 7am on Saturday and used a remotely operated underwater vehicle to check propeller damage and assess whether it was capable of progress under its own power, RCCNZ co-ordinator Conrad Reynecke says.
"The blades were assessed as too badly damaged for the vessel to be able to use them for propulsion from the ice field," he said.
The fishing boat's hull is not damaged and no oil has spilled.
"The crew on the Polar Star then rigged up tow lines and began to tow the Antarctic Chieftain to open water.
"They are making slow, but steady progress and are currently approximately 60 nautical miles from clear water in the north," Mr Reynecke says.
The New Zealand-flagged fishing boat, Janas, will arrive in the area on Monday night. It's expected to assist the Antarctic Chieftain to reach the nearest safe harbour.
Captain Matthew Walker, commanding officer of the Polar Star, says "it's with a great sense of pride that we are able to assist Antarctic Chieftain".
The Polar Star is the US's only heavy icebreaker capable of operating in the thick Antarctic ice for a mission such as this or clearing McMurdo Sound for the annual resupply of McMurdo Station.
The cutter is one of the largest ships in the Coast Guard and one of the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers, the Coast Guard says.
It reported formidable ice conditions when approaching the Antarctic Chieftain.
The Antarctic Chieftain is owned by Tasmanian company Australian Longline. It is skippered by New Zealander Rob Climpson. The crew of 26 includes 13 New Zealanders.
Weather conditions continue to be favourable.
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