Nation’s only heavy icebreaker to return home from Antarctic mission

Media Advisory

March 9, 2019 U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Contact: Coast Guard Pacific Area Public Affairs Office: (510) 437-5682 Pacific Area online newsroom

Nation’s only heavy icebreaker to return home from Antarctic mission

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star breaks ice in McMurdo Sound near Antarctica on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. The crew of the Seattle-based Polar Star is on deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2018, the U.S. military’s contribution to the National Science Foundation-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen.

 

SEATTLE — The crew of the United States’ only heavy icebreaker, Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, is scheduled to return home Monday to Seattle at 10 a.m. after supporting Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica, the U.S. military operation to resupply the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Who: The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star crew members

What: Return to homeport following a 107-day deployment

Where: Coast Guard Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way S. Seattle, WA 98134

When: Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m. 

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star overcame flooding, an electrical outage, electrical switchboard issues and an incinerator fire to accomplish their mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze. The crew supported the National Science Foundation (NSF) by cutting a resupply channel through 17 miles of Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea to escort a supply vessel to the continent.

The Polar Star crew departed Seattle Nov. 27 to assist in the annual delivery of operating supplies and fuel for NSF research stations in Antarctica. Operation Deep Freeze is the logistical support provided by the U.S. Armed Forces to the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Polar Star is homeported in Seattle and carries approximately 150 crewmembers, 1.5 million gallons of fuel and enough food stores to last one year in the ice should it be necessary. Polar Star is 399-feet long, 13,500 tons, 84-feet wide, has a 34-foot draft (same as an aircraft carrier), 75,000 horse power and nine engines (six diesels, three jet-turbines).  The ship can break continuously through six feet of ice and up to 21 feet of ice by backing and ramming. Commissioned in 1976, the cutter is 43-years-old.

Media representatives interested in attending should contact the Coast Guard’s 13th District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237 or (206) 605-4817 and plan to be at Base Seattle by 9 a.m. To ensure access to Coast Guard Base Seattle, bring a government-issued photo ID, press credentials, proof of vehicle registration and insurance.

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