Lance in sea ice
Lance in sea ice

The Norwegian research vessel called Lance drifting among sea ice floes in the Arctic Ocean.

Ice from crow's nest
Ice from crow's nest

Looking down over the vessel, while following the coastguard ship in the distance. The ship is travelling along an older ‘lead’ that has been partially frozen over.

Cutting hole in ice
Cutting hole in ice

Using a hot water drill to cut a hole through sea ice. The snow cover can be seen above the hard sea ice below.

Arctic weather balloon
Arctic weather balloon

This is a tethered weather balloon that was launched next to Lance and captured data which described atmospheric conditions near to the site.

Sea ice detail
Sea ice detail

This is a section through a piece of sea ice, photographed under a large polarising filter, lit from below. The filter brings out the structure, colours and shows the brine channels within the ice.

Lance stuck in sea ice
Lance stuck in sea ice

The ship’s crew used all their skill and experience to release the vessel from the grip of the ice. It took some days but eventually she broke free.

Scientists in polar night
Scientists in polar night

Two scientists walk around Lance using thin canes to stake out areas being studied on the surface of the surrounding sea ice.

Frozen instruments
Frozen instruments

A frost coats frozen instruments near to the vessel -scientists must keep them maintained during the drift station.

Lance in sea ice
Lance in sea ice

Looking down towards the deck of Lance from the forward mast. The ship makes slow progress, exploiting weaknesses in the ice floes.

Disembarking onto ice
Disembarking onto ice

Before the scientific drift station can be established, two of the Norwegian crew go out onto the ice in order to check thickness and stability of the ice, also fixing mooring lines to tie the ship to the ice floe.

Lance in sea ice
Ice from crow's nest
Cutting hole in ice
Arctic weather balloon
Sea ice detail
Lance stuck in sea ice
Scientists in polar night
Frozen instruments
Lance in sea ice
Disembarking onto ice
Lance in sea ice

The Norwegian research vessel called Lance drifting among sea ice floes in the Arctic Ocean.

Ice from crow's nest

Looking down over the vessel, while following the coastguard ship in the distance. The ship is travelling along an older ‘lead’ that has been partially frozen over.

Cutting hole in ice

Using a hot water drill to cut a hole through sea ice. The snow cover can be seen above the hard sea ice below.

Arctic weather balloon

This is a tethered weather balloon that was launched next to Lance and captured data which described atmospheric conditions near to the site.

Sea ice detail

This is a section through a piece of sea ice, photographed under a large polarising filter, lit from below. The filter brings out the structure, colours and shows the brine channels within the ice.

Lance stuck in sea ice

The ship’s crew used all their skill and experience to release the vessel from the grip of the ice. It took some days but eventually she broke free.

Scientists in polar night

Two scientists walk around Lance using thin canes to stake out areas being studied on the surface of the surrounding sea ice.

Frozen instruments

A frost coats frozen instruments near to the vessel -scientists must keep them maintained during the drift station.

Lance in sea ice

Looking down towards the deck of Lance from the forward mast. The ship makes slow progress, exploiting weaknesses in the ice floes.

Disembarking onto ice

Before the scientific drift station can be established, two of the Norwegian crew go out onto the ice in order to check thickness and stability of the ice, also fixing mooring lines to tie the ship to the ice floe.

show thumbnails