The cutter Polar Star freed an Australian fishing vessel from ice Friday night after a 300 mile journey through the Antarctic, according to a Pacific Area release.

The crew polar icebreaker's crew freed the Antarctic Chieftain from 12- to 15-foot ice covered in two 2 feet of snow, towing it to an open area of water to test its ability to steam under its own power, according to the release.

"Towing in ice is much more hazardous than towing in open water and is a slow process," the Pacific Area said in the news release. "Upon reaching a small area of open water, also known as a polynya, the Antarctic Chieftain will commence testing the vessel's ability to steam under its own power."

After completing the test, the cutter towed the boat another 60 miles north.

Polar Star and her 150 crew members set sail for the trapped vessel the night of Feb. 11 after receiving a call from Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand, who received the original distress signal.

The 207-foot boat and its crew of 27 had become stuck in ice after three of its four propellers were damaged and it became unable to move. They were about 900 miles from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, where Polar Star has been deployed since late last year.

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