SCIENTISTS searching for undiscovered life forms in an ancient lake beneath the Antarctic have hit a snag – they cannot drill a hole through the ice.

The team believes water samples and sediment under the ice will bring new knowledge about the evolution of life on earth – and even give clues about life on other planets.

But a hi-tech probe designed by engineers from the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton cannot be used yet because a boiler used to heat the water that powers a drill is not working. And until a hole is made through the two-mile thick ice, the probe cannot descend to search for the secrets hidden beneath. The Southampton engineers were charged with designing the Titanium probe to collect the all-important samples on one of the most difficult science missions of recent years. It will gather samples of water and sediment from Lake EllSworth which has remained isolated for up to half a million years. The probe can ensure those samples are kept at the same pressure despite it delving through 300 atmospheres. Last night the 12-strong team including Southampton engineers Robin Brown and Ed Waugh said in true British fashion they will keep calm and carry on. They are hopeful to get the project back on track by the end of the week. Two replacement parts will be flown out to the region notorious for its freezing weather and near-constant winds. Heather Martin, of British Antarctic Survey told the Daily Echo: “We have experienced a blow to the project but it is certainly not all over yet. We are still very hopeful that the team can get back on track by the end of the week.

“We are lucky we have got some resilient guys on the team. Whenever anything fails of course there is disappointment but they know it is never easy in the Antarctic and they are keeping calm and carrying on.” The team issued a statement saying the key circuit on the boiler controlling the primary burner had failed to start. A back-up was fitted and ran successfully but later failed. It added: “The engineering team is in contact with the manufacturers of the units who are helping them to determine the cause of the malfunction. Both units demonstrated the same problem. When the replacement circuit arrives the engineers will work with the manufacturer to go through the set up procedure. The team is hopeful that this will solve the problem.

“If not, a further option is to attempt to bypass the circuit and manually ‘drive’ the burner. The team is discussing operating protocols with the manufacturer before exploring this option further.”

The team is under time pressure because February marks the start of the Antarctic winter when it is dark 24 hours a day with temperatures down to minus 50C.