Are you sure about that? The Polar Star can break ice 21 feet thick.
The Russians are the ones with the great icebreakers.
It would take awhile for them to reach the area, but
maybe they should start now?
Clearly the chicoms are liars ....:o)
Wiki claims the Polar Star can, "steam continuously through 6 feet (1.8 m) of ice at 3 knots (6 km/h)"
The Wiki on the Australian Aurora Australis says "The vessel can break level ice up to 1.23 metres (4 ft 0 in) thick at 2.5 knots (4.6 km/h; 2.9 mph)".