America’s Only Heavy Icebreaker Departs Seattle, Bound for Antarctica – HS Today

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed Seattle, Wednesday, and is scheduled to transit to Antarctica in help of Operation Deep Freeze.

Operation Deep Freeze is an annual joint navy mission to resupply the USA Antarctic stations in help of the Nationwide Science Basis, the lead company for the USA Antarctic Program. This marks the twenty sixth 12 months for the Polar Star to render help.

Every year, the Polar Star crew breaks a navigable channel by way of ice, typically as a lot as 21-feet thick, to permit gasoline and provide ships to succeed in McMurdo Station, which is the most important Antarctic station and the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program.

“It is a distinctive and vital mission that the Coast Guard undertakes every year,” stated Capt. Keith Ropella, commanding officer of the Polar Star. “It takes a particular crew to make the 20,000 nautical mile spherical journey by way of among the most distant areas and arduous circumstances on the planet to get the job executed, and maybe extra considerably, to arrange this 46-year-old cutter for the problem. I’m overwhelmed and immensely pleased with the tireless work this crew and our shore aspect help companions have executed since coming back from the final Operation Deep Freeze again in April to get us able to go, and I’m extremely excited to make this as soon as in a lifetime journey with them.”

The U.S. Coast Guard is recapitalizing its polar icebreaker fleet to make sure continued entry to the Polar areas, mission U.S. sovereignty, and to guard the nation’s financial, environmental, and nationwide safety pursuits.

“Because the Nation’s most energetic and visual maritime presence within the excessive latitudes, the Coast Guard maintains a significant management position in Antarctica and deeply values its relationship as a trusted companion to the Nationwide Science Basis and U.S. Antarctic Program,” stated Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson, commander Coast Guard Pacific Space. “Polar Star’s continued help of Operation Deep Freeze exemplifies the Coast Guard’s distinctive mix of operational functionality, regulatory authority and strategic management within the polar areas. It’s an honor to make sure uninhibited entry to the area, and be a part of along with our worldwide allies and Division of Protection sister companies to help important scientific analysis and the preservation of a protected, safe and cooperative atmosphere on the Antarctic continent.”

By way of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. Coast Guard supplies direct logistical help to the Nationwide Science Basis and maintains a regional presence that preserves Antarctica as a scientific refuge.

Learn extra at USCG