Coastguard Crew Recognized for Nome Fuel Crisis Assistance

USCG icebreaking cutter 'Healy' broke tanker through 400 m of ice in Nome's winter emergency oil suply operation, crew gains award

Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, Pacific Area commander will present the Coast Guard Unit Commendation award to the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Healy on Tuesday at Coast Guard Base Seattle.

Following a seven-month science mission, the Coast Guard Cutter Healy, the nation’s only operational seagoing icebreaker, extended their deployment an additional month to assist the citizens of Nome with their energy crisis.

Healy escorted the Russian-flagged tanker vessel Renda through more than 300 miles of Bering Sea ice to make the delivery of 1.3 million gallons of fuel to Nome possible. Following the fuel transfer, the Healy crew freed the Renda from the ice, where it was purposely frozen and led the Renda back across more than 400 miles of sea ice to the open water of the Bering Sea.

As a Coast Guard cutter, Healy is also a capable platform for supporting other missions in the polar regions, including logistics, search and rescue, ship escort, environmental protection, and enforcement of laws and treaties.

The Coast Guard Unit Commendation award is awarded by the Commandant to a Coast Guard unit that distinguished itself by valorous or extremely meritorious service in support of Coast Guard operations.