More than 2391 tonnes of steel has been cut to form the bottom of Australia’s new icebreaker, which will be home to the ship’s moon pool.

The moon pool is a square shaft that will run from the science deck, through the ship’s hull, to the open ocean. When its top and bottom hatches are open, scientists will be able deploy equipment such as CTDs (conductivity, temperature and depth instruments), nets and underwater vehicles.

The next construction milestone is the laying of the keel in late August.