Among the ice in Tempelfjord

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/ceba53_da6b5146bff94113a68cc078eaed9915/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Tunabreen ice in Tempelfjord, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

After dropping off a group of team members to continue the fieldwork for one of the research projects of the expedition, Expedition Leader Mike Haynes, along with expedition member James Tuohy, have to navigate carefully through the brash ice originating from the Tunabreen glacier that can be clearly seen in the video. Mike observes that the amount of ice in the fjord is significantly greater than during his visit 42 years ago as part of a previous expedition. Perhaps this is further testament to the changing climate causing more frequent calvings of ice from the glacier front. Even though it's summer and the sun never sets, the pieces of ice can be quite difficult to see and are large enough to damage the aluminium boat's hull, propeller, or engine if hit at high speed. Such outcomes are undesirable in the isolation of an uninhabited fjord far from help.

The video showcases a deliberate and slow-paced progress to navigate between the ice pieces. For the helm and crew, it becomes a test of skill to see how long they can steer without the sound of ice striking the boat's hull or engine. Even in the stunning Tempelfjord on a sunny day, it doesn't take long before a thud is heard, prompting a quick mental reset of the challenge.