Mikhail Somov

Whilst attempting to reach Edgeworth David base in the Bunger Hills early in January 1987 Nella Dan encountered heavy pack ice and became beset on 8 January. On 13 January she received an InmarSat telephone call from Mikhail Somov, an ice-strengthened Soviet Antarctic resupply vessel which happened to be nearby and also en route to Bunger Hills. Still beset and with no immediate hope of release from the now rafting pack ice, Nella Dan accepted an offer of assistance from Mikhail Somov.

The first sign of the Soviets was a reconnaissance flight by one of Mikhail Somov's big MI-8 helicopters at about 2230 that evening. Mikhail Somov was still 20 miles away. Her lights were first visible on the horizon at about midnight; she reached Nella Dan at about 0330 on 14 January and immediately began breaking her out.