Icebreakers

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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy

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) 
 

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea

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.
 

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw

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.

 

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR

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.

R/V NATHANIEL B. PALMER

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.

R/V Polar Duke

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.