there and bringing tourists with it in safety. Since 1993 the icebreaker was operated by Murmansk Shipping Company and in 2001–2008 the operation was made by Murmansk Shipping Company and Poseidon Expeditions. Yamal has made a total of 47 voyages to the North Pole. Events North Pole-36 and North Pole-37 From August to September 2009 the icebreaker took part in the scheduled evacuation of drifting ice stations. Each station houses 18 polar explorers, dogs, and more than 150 tons of cargo. The evacuation of station personnel and cargo from a drifting ice floe requires three days of continuous, round-the-clock work. This high-latitude Arctic work was supervised by expedition leader Vladimir Sokolov. Incidents and accidents On 23 December 1996, a crew member was killed when a fire broke out on board the icebreaker. The nuclear reactor powering the ship was not affected by the fire. The crew extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes. On 16 March 2009 Yamal collided with the product tanker in Yenisei Gulf in the Kara Sea. While the tanker suffered a crack on the main deck, no damage was reported for Yamal. References External links Field reports from tourists made aboard Yamal Icehunters: Russian conquerors of the North Pole Nuclear-powered icebreakers Icebreakers of Russia 1992 ships Expedition cruising Ships built at the Baltic Shipyard