There was a small hiccup that morning, however. As Mallory later told People magazine, “We were off to a late start. . . there had been an unusual amount of ice that prevented us from getting out.”
Sea ice that drifts toward shore can be a major hassle for fishermen eager to set out for a day’s work. Fortunately, The Northern Swan crew was able to navigate the situation and leave the harbor this time. At other times, the ice pack is virtually impenetrable, leaving fishing crews stuck onshore and unable to make their living.