Alaska Beat

Unmanned drones checking sea ice before Russian tanker arrives

Scientists are using aerial drones to help prepare Nome for the unprecedented arrival of a Russian ice-class tanker bringing fuel to help avert an energy shortage later in the winter, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports.

Researchers with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute are in Nome checking ice thickness. An assistant geophysics professor found one pressure ridge of ice -- formed as ice sheets slam together -- was 25 feet thick.

The drones, owned by the oil giant BP, evaluated Bering Sea ice near Nome and sent pictures to the crew about the tanker Renda. They're important because the data they transmit will help the ship captain plot the best route.

The drones are "about the size of smoke detectors, with four arms with propellers attached. A camera is positioned at the bottom of the craft," the newspaper notes.

Read more here.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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