Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR and its sister ship, POLAR SEA, are the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. 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, POLAR STAR is equipped to function as a major scientific platform. It has laboratories, offices, and sleeping quarters which can support 20 scientists and technicians in a variety of programs.
Information and photos courtesy of USCG |
| Vessel Ownership | Primary Logistics Provider | Primary Management Agency | Availability and Cost | Communications and Data Systems | Laboratory Space | Staging Place |
| Vessel Ownership | ||||
| Vessel name: | Polar Star | |||
| Vessel nationality: | United States | |||
| Homeport: | Seattle, Washington, USA | |||
| Primary Logistics Provider | ||||
| Organization: | United States Coast Guard 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: | Commanding Officer 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 | |||
| Availability and Cost | ||||
| Advance arrangements: | Use of the Polar Star is scheduled through the University-National Oceanographic System (UNOLS). The National Science Foundation requires that proposals be submitted for panel review by 15 February of the year before the requested cruise. | |||
| Communications and Data Systems | ||||
| Local area network (LAN), Internet access, Fax send/receive, Telephone system | ||||
| Laboratory Space | ||||
| Lab space: | From the Polar Star Cruise planning guide, available on the ship's web site: Inner lab (Main wet lab, port side, 01 deck): • 490 ft2 • Two deep sinks • Fume hood • Uncontaminated seawater • Unistrut system bolt downs on 1' centers • Power (60 Hz) 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, thirteen duplex receptacles 220 VAC, 15 amps, three van ties 440 VAC, 30 amps, three van ties Outer vestibule (CTD hangar, port side, 01 deck): • 140 ft2 • Roller curtain door to oceano deck • Overhead trolley to oceano wire • Room for packages 12' H x 7' Dia. • Deep sink • Unistrut bolt downs on 1' centers • Power (60 Hz) 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, one duplex receptacle 220 VAC, 15 amps, four van ties 440 VAC, 30 amps, two van ties Aft lab (starboard, 01 deck): • 200 ft2 • Fantail access door (76"x62") • Fume hood • Deep sink • Unistrut bolt downs on 1' centers • Power (60 Hz) 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, seven duplex receptacles 220 VAC, 30 amps, three van ties 440 VAC, 50-40 amps, two van ties Dry lab (amidships, 01 deck): • 264 ft2 w/benches, sinks, refrigerator. • Power (60 Hz) 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, eight duplex receptacles 220 VAC, 15 amps, three single twist-lock connectors 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, one 8-plug strip Meteorology lab (03 deck, aft of the bridge): • MST work space aft of the bridge • Location of Terascan system • INMARSAT terminal for scientists' use • Power 110-120 VAC, 15 amps, five duplex receptacles Computer lab (02 Deck): • 100 ft2 with Unistrut • For ship's admin computer and scientists' PCs Science library / lounge (Second deck): • 240 ft2 with tables and bench space • Well-suited for PCs, meetings (10-12 people), etc. • Television • Couches | |||
| Number of containerized labs accommodated : | Vans Spaces for up to six 8' x 20' ISO vans on deck with: • Fresh water • LP air, oil-free • Telephone • Waste water discharge • Power 220 VAC, 30 amps, 13 van ties 440 VAC, 50 amps, 7 van ties Coast Guard owned vans: • One general purpose lab van (8' x 20') w/Unistrut benches, deep sink • One reefer/freezer lab van (8' x 20') with benches, Unistrut • Operating temperature 2 to -20C (Lab freezers available for storage to -40C) | |||
| Staging Place | ||||
| Comments: | Polar Star is berthed near downtown Seattle, Washington, minutes from all the resources of the city. | |||