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(More customer reviews)"Ice Breakers" takes viewers from early polar explorations with reinforced-hull wooden sailing ships to today's computer-controlled 13,000+ ton 2" thick reinforced hull constructed of special steel made for low-temperature strength. Some have the capability of injecting a large volume of bubbles under the ice, or rocking back and forth (shifting water from one ballast tank to another) to help break up the ice. Most of the heavy-duty ice breaking comes from the heavy ship riding up onto thick ice and then breaking it from the heavy weight - not from simply plowing into it. Yet, especially thick (over 8') or hard ice (eg. several years old - salt leaches out over time, creating greater strength) may require repetitive 'ramming' - back and forth about 1 - 2 ship lengths to succeed. Strengthening and protecting the propellers, or replacing them with electrically-driven steerable pods under the ship (also eliminates the need for a rudder) is important. Propulsion systems in today's icebreakers include standard diesel, diesel-electric, turbine, and nuclear (Russian).
The major use for U.S. icebreakers is aiding in the supply of researchers at the two polar regions. European nations, including Russia, use icebreakers for the support of normal living in the northern-most areas.
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