Delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard and placed "In Commission, Special" on November
10, 1999, HEALY joined the icebreakers POLAR STAR (WAGB 10) and POLAR SEA (WAGB
11) in their homeport of Seattle, Washington. HEALY is designed to conduct a
wide range of research activities, providing more than 4,200 square feet of
scientific laboratory space, numerous electronic sensor systems, oceanographic
winches, and accommodations for up to 50 scientists. HEALY is designed to break
4 ½ feet of ice continuously at three knots and can operate in temperatures
as low as -50 degrees F.
HEALY is also a capable platform for supporting other potential missions in
the polar regions, including logistics, search and rescue, ship escort, environmental
protection, and enforcement of laws and treaties. (Excerpted from: USCGC
Healy/Image: courtesy of Mr. Jeff Andrews)
POLAR SEA and her sister ship, POLAR STAR, are the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. Built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company of Seattle, Washington, the two powerful icebreakers are based at the Seattle Coast Guard Support Center at Pier 36.
POLAR SEA's primary missions are scientific support in the arctic and
antarctic, and ice escort of shipping and logistics support for U.S. Government
interests in both polar regions. In addition to providing support to scientific
stations, POLAR SEA is equipped to function as a major scientific platform.
She has five laboratories, offices, and sleeping quarters which can support
35 scientists and technicians in a variety of programs. Along with her specialized
missions, POLAR SEA is also prepared to perform search and rescue and law enforcement
functions.
Mackinaw was designed and configured to perform its missions specifically on
the Great Lakes where it keeps the shipping lanes open through as much of the
winter as possible.
Polar Star's primary missions are scientific support in the arctic and antarctic and ice escort of shipping and logistics support for U.S. Government interests in both polar regions. In addition to providing support to scientific stations, the Polar Star is equipped to function as a major scientific platform. We have laboratories, offices, and sleeping quarters which can support 20 scientists and technicians in a variety of programs. The Polar Star, like all Coast Guard vessels, is also prepared to perform search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental response missions.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of the Polar Star is her powerful
propulsion system. Each of Polar Star's three shafts can be turned by either
a diesel-electric or a gas turbine power plant. Each shaft is connected to a
four-bladed, controllable pitch propeller with a 16-foot diameter. The diesel-electric
plant can produce 18,000 shaft horsepower and the gas turbine plant 75,000 shaft
horsepower, making the Coast Guard Polar class the world's most powerful non-nuclear
icebreakers.
The research vessel R/V NATHANIEL B. PALMER is operated under charter to Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The ship provides support to the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), in various regions of the Antarctic and Southern Oceans. Primary functions include supporting oceanographic research activities in the open ocean and in ice, as well as land-based station and field programs as required.
ASA manages the ship through the means of a time-charter with the owner, Edison Chouest Offshore, Inc (ECO). ASA oversees the charter and provides management and logistic support for the NSF programs using the ship. On board the ship, the senior ASA representative is the Marine Projects Coordinator (MPC), who functions as the charterer's representative on site, and is responsible for expediting the science program.
The ship is owned and operated by ECO. ECO provides for the safe operation
and maintenance of the ship, and helps in the efforts of the scientific program
on board.
The R/V Polar Duke is operated under charter to Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The ship provides support to the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), in various regions of the Antarctic and Southern Oceans. Primary functions include supporting oceanographic research activities in the open ocean and in ice, as well as land-based station and field programs as required.
ASA manages the ship through the means of a time-charter with the owner, Rieber. ASA oversees the charter and provides management and logistic support for the NSF programs using the ship. On board the ship, the senior ASA representative is the Marine Projects Coordinator (MPC), who functions as the charterer's representative on site, and who is responsible for expediting the science program.
The ship is owned and operated by Rieber. Rieber provides for the safe operation and maintenance of the ship, and helps in the efforts of the scientific program on board.