The 2022-23 McMurdo Shipping Season

Continued -- (page 3)

(back to the previous page)
causeway disassembly has begun
1000 on the 21st, a few hours after Ocean Gladiator backed off from the causeway, disassembly has begun as one of the powered causeway sections on the far end has detached. And the Polar Star is hanging around for some reason. (??)
causeway disassembly
An hour later, the first large causeway section has been cut loose.
loading a causeway section and towing away the ice pier
And after another hour, that first large causeway section is on the hook to be loaded...but wait! There goes the ice pier!
ice pier going away
1300...yup, Polar Star is making the ice pier is going bye bye.
causeway disassembly
1500...meanwhile, causeway disassembly is continuing.
disassembly continues
1600...not many big pieces left.
causeway disassembly
1700...even fewer pieces left.
nothing left of the causeway
And by 0800 on the 22nd there is nothing left of the pontoon causeway.
Ocean Gladiator has departed
And by 1400 on the 22nd, Ocean Gladiator had departed.

Here is a 3 February Marine Executive article about the beginning of the evolution.

And then Polar Star headed to Palmer Station for an early March visit (USAP.gov article).