Aurora Borealis polar ship

European ship designers are currently working on what is billed as the “most advanced polar research vessel in the world.”

…It will be the world’s first ice-breaker that is also a drilling ship and will operate year-round, although it will only drill in the summer months.

Initially it will be used in the Arctic but it is envisaged it will also be used for Antarctic expeditions.

…Only one drilling expedition has ever been mounted in the central Arctic Ocean because of the expense and difficulty.

Then, three ships were used: one to drill and two to circle the vessel keeping the ice away.

“The piece of ocean crust at the centre of the Central Arctic Ocean is the least known of any crust in the entire ocean,” said Professor Joern Thiede.

But Aurora Borealis should allow scientists to routinely drill the Arctic sea floor through the summer months.

The rig, which will only operate in summer, will be able to bore up to 1,000m (3,300ft) into the seafloor in water depths of 5,000m (16,400ft).

BBC