US icebreaker limps into Lyttelton

A United States icebreaker has limped back into Lyttelton from Antarctica nearly a month early after suffering engine failure in the Ross Sea.

The Nathaniel B Palmer was doing research work for the US-based National Science Foundation (NSF) when it lost power to two of its four engines.

After four days at a standstill, it was decided to abandon the scientific schedule and return to Lyttelton for repairs.

An NSF spokesman said he was confident the vessel would resume the next round of research off Antarctica on schedule on December 18.