 "Litke", the only icebreaker in the Chukotka area, managed to get them through, but sustained wear and damage from the ice was gradually reducing her capability.At the same time , attempting a single-season passage from Murmansk to Vladivostok, was stuck in ice in the same area, off Cape Koluchin.On 22 September, while attempting to clear a passage for three ships trapped in the ice, "Litke" again damaged its rudder and propeller, hardly escaping entrapment in the ice itself, and had to retreat to clear water in Provideniya bay.