After all, the Profit Algore and his followers have decreed that the ice near the north pole has melted due to AGW, so it is not possible that a ship can be having that much trouble navigating the waters near/in the arctic circle...
Actually, Early Sea Ice is affecting the Snow Crab harvest in the Berring Sea.
Sea ice hastens Bering Sea snow crab fishery
http://www.adn.com/2012/01/07/2251806/sea-ice-hastens-bering-sea-snow.html#storylink=cpy
The Bering Sea snow crab fishery is picking up earlier than usual as the fleet scrambles to pull up the catch before encroaching sea ice shuts them down. About 25 boats are out so far, soon to be joined by 60 or so more, with a weather forecast calling for frigid weather and high winds.