Mcmurdo Research Station News

Congress last funded the purchase of polar icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard in the early 1970s. The USCCG Polar Star (WAGB-10) was commissioned in 1976, followed by the USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11) in 1977. Polar Sea has been out of service since 2010 due to a major engine failure. Polar Star was ‘in commission, special’ status from 2008 through 2012 while undergoing a service life extension. It is currently the only active heavy polar icebreaker in the U.S. fleet. The less capable USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is a medium icebreaker and is equipped to support research missions in polar waters.

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will be returning to Seattle Tuesday afternoon. The 399-ft., Seattle-based cutter is returning after a five-month deployment where the icebreaker participated in Operation Deep Freeze 2004. Operation Deep Freeze supports the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation by transporting scientists and breaking through ice in order to re-supply the world’s southern-most science stations. As a result of the Polar Star’s efforts, more than 8 million gallons of fuel and 11 million pounds of cargo were safely delivered to the McMurdo Research Station and South Pole Station, which depend on these supplies to operate.