Abstract: As key areas occupying a strategic position and with a strong influence on the global climate system, the polar seas have become the object of an increasing number of scientific studies. Towing is an important method for marine surveys. In polar ice areas, towing operations are often affected by the weather and the sea ice cover, and they depend on type of survey equipment. Therefore, unpredictable problems encountered during towing operations often prevent the successful implementation of planned survey tasks. On the basis of yearly field operation reports from the regular Chinese polar expeditions, this study summarizes the risks and problems of towing operations in polar ice areas, provides a comprehensive analysis and discussion, and suggests targeted measures to optimize towing operations, as a reference for future towing survey operations in polar ice areas.

Key words: marine survey, towing operation polar, ice area, Arctic and Antarctic expeditions