The Polar Sea is currently not operational, and is not expected to be back in service until the 2006/2007 austral summer season, at the soonest.
The U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker Polar Sea was commissioned Feb. 23, 1978. It was the second of two polar class icebreakers built by the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle, Wash., in the 1970s. It's been home ported in Seattle since its commissioning. Polar Sea's primary missions are scientific and logistical support to various United States' interests in both polar regions. Polar Sea has sailed all seven seas, crossed the Arctic Ocean, circumnavigated Antarctica, and visited ports in 24 foreign countries. On Aug. 22, 1994, the Polar Sea became the first American Surface Ship to reach the Geographic North Pole. The 13,000-ton vessel is able to ram through up to 21 feet of ice or steam continuously through six feet of ice. It can accommodate two HH-65 helicopters and it provides laboratories and sleeping quarters for up to 20 scientists.
Information and photos courtesy of USCG |
| Vessel Ownership | Primary Logistics Provider | Primary Management Agency |
| Vessel Ownership | ||||
| Vessel name: | USCGC Polar Sea | |||
| Vessel nationality: | United States | |||
| Vessel owner: | United States Coast Guard | |||
| Vessel operator: | United States Coast Guard | |||
| Homeport: | Seattle, Washington, USA | |||
| Vessel web page: | http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/polarsea/home.htm | |||
| Primary Logistics Provider | ||||
| Organization: | Once researchers are on board the vessel, naturally all logistics support comes from the ship and its crew. However, the first step towards reaching that point must take place more than a year earlier, and through another entity: The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Shiptime Request System. Click here for a concise description of how this system works, excerpted from the UNOLS web site. Click here for the UNOLS site, which provides full details, and the online Shiptime Request System itself. For all other logistics issues, contacts will be USCG personnel: | |||
| Name and title of contact person: | LTJG P. Rodriguez, USCG Marine Science Officer | |||
| Address: | USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) FPO, AP 96698-3920 | |||
| Telephone: | (206) 217-6260 | |||
| Fax: | (206) 217-6268 | |||
| E-mail: | prodriguez@polarstar.uscg.mil | |||
| Primary Management Agency | ||||
| Organization: | United States Coast Guard (USCG) | |||
| Web site: | http://www.uscg.mil/d13/ | |||