Danger Islands Mission draws to an end!
Malizia Explorers’ first scientific sailing expedition in Antarctica has begun its return to Ushuaia after a decisive call to halt further attempts to reach the Danger Islands. Following one successful landing on Brash Island, which is the westernmost island within the archipelago, the team determined that worsening ice conditions and an unfavourable weather forecast made any additional passage unfeasible. The team are set to arrive by Sunday the 7th of December with a wealth of knowledge and data collected during this first detailed study of the Danger Islands archipelago.
According to Malizia Explorer’s captain Lucas Lanusse, the wait would not justify the risk, as “ice conditions in the Danger Islands are really bad and with the wind forecast there’s no way it’s going to open”. November is already considered an early and unpredictable stage of the Antarctic season, and the team knew from the outset that reaching the islands might not be possible. Yet it was also the only time worth attempting: the objective of the expedition was to study Adélie penguins during their breeding season, making a November window essential despite the uncertainty of ice coverage and accessibility.
Long-term ice analysis carried out prior to the expedition had shown that several of the past ten years offered clear access to the islands, while other seasons remained blocked by sea ice. The variability, driven partly by broader climatic shifts, has increased in recent years. Despite the team’s preparation and contingency planning, this season proved exceptionally ice-heavy, ultimately closing the route for a second landing.
Even so, the expedition achieved significant scientific successes. The landing on Brash Island allowed the researchers to conduct on-the-ground fieldwork, collect water and vegetation samples, and deploy penguin-tracking devices. A complete drone survey of the entire Danger Islands group was also carried out, which is considered a major scientific gain. The samples and data gathered will provide substantial insights once analysed back in the scientists’ home institutions.
After the initial landing, the crew returned to King George Island to wait for a possible second weather window - an experience that became its own form of exploration. The region contains thousands of kilometres of coastline but not a single harbour, dock, mooring, or sheltered anchorage. Conditions quickly underscored this reality, as persistent winds escalated into a full storm, with gusts exceeding 40 knots, forcing the sailors to take one-hour shifts at the helm. They manoeuvred under engine power to reduce strain on the anchor that repeatedly failed to grip, with the seabed alternating between bare rock and small, unreliable patches of mud.
At one point, the anchor chain became temporarily wrapped around the keel, adding to an exhausting sequence of relocations and recovery work. Eventually, with no improvement in the forecast and no sign of the ice retreating, the crew made the call to stand down further attempts. The boat and equipment were secured, and the team departed King George Island the following evening for the Drake Passage.
“I feel like the Drake Passage is the most relaxing part, because we have nothing else to do than just sailing” said Marin Moreau, first mate sailing onboard Malizia Explorer, after this eventful Antarctic voyage.
Despite the challenges, morale on board remains high. The open-water passage north, which is typically one of the more demanding stretches of an Antarctic voyage, has so far offered relatively calm sailing and a welcome sense of closure. With the decision clear and unambiguous, the team is content to return with a rich collection of data and experience. Arrival in Ushuaia is expected on Sunday, weather permitting.
For the Malizia Explorer, the departure marks the end of this year’s Danger Islands chapter, with a return to Antarctica set for the beginning of January 2026.
