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ObjectiveIn the polar regions, the operation mode of launching and recovering detection and sampling devices for scientific research by shipside is limited due to dense ice floes around the ship. To achieve the smooth acquisition of data records and samples in densely packed ice floe regions, a square-shaped moonpool system was designed in the midships of the Xuelong 2 icebreaker.MethodsBenefiting from the accumulated experience of decades of polar surveys, and taking ice zone operation characteristics into full account, the design option of a reasonable switching process between shipside and moonpool operation was put forward. Specifically, innovative techniques such as the watertight bottom cover of the moonpool, special track docking plan and deicing of movable joints in low temperature environments were implemented.ResultField tests in the Antarctic area have demonstrated that the proposed scheme can effectively deal with the problem of launching and recovering scientific survey devices in densely packed ice floe regions.ConclusionsThe proposed moonpool scheme meets the actual needs of Chinese polar expeditions by increasing the sampling capability of Xuelong 2 in densely packed ice floe regions and matching the icebreaking capacity of the ship.