Media Advisory: Seattle-based U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker to return home following 3-month, 14,000 nautical-mile Arctic deployment

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Nov. 1, 2019
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area
Contact: Coast Guard Pacific Area Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3375
After Hours: (510) 816-1700
D11-DG-M-PACAREA-PA@uscg.mil
Pacific Area online newsroom

Media Advisory: Seattle-based U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker to return home following 3-month, 14,000 nautical-mile Arctic deployment

Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew conduct Arctic operations - U.S. Coast Guard photo by Tom Ciaburri/Silver Fir Media
Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew conduct Arctic operations Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew conduct Arctic operations Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew conduct Arctic operations
Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew moor in Dutch Harbor following conduct Arctic operations

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

 

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy command and crew.

 

WHAT: Return to homeport following three-month Arctic patrol. The commanding officer will be available for interviews following the cutter’s mooring.

 

WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. estimated ship arrival.

 

WHERE: Pier 36, 1519 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98134.

 

Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday to the Coast Guard’s Public Affairs office at (206) 251-3237

SEATTLE — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) is scheduled to return home Saturday to Seattle following a three-month deployment to the Arctic in support of Coast Guard operations and multiple scientific research missions sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Office of Naval Research.

Healy is the nation’s premiere high-latitude research vessel and is one of the only U.S. military surface vessels that operates in the ice-covered waters of the Arctic. Homeported in Seattle with a permanent crew of 87, Healy is the Coast Guard’s largest cutter at 420-feet and a displacement of over 16,000 tons.

"During our deployment, we successfully transited 14,000 nautical miles and spent 50 cumulative days above the Arctic Circle, reaching as far north as 81 degrees north latitude,” said Capt. MaryEllen Durley, Healy’s commanding officer. “As the Coast Guard's sole Arctic icebreaker, we forged new relationships, trained new Arctic sailors, and conducted high latitude research that will help forecast the impact of seasonal ice formation critical to maintaining the Arctic maritime domain.”

As the Nation’s primary maritime presence in the Polar Regions, the Coast Guard advances U.S. national interests through a unique blend of polar operational capability, regulatory authority, and international leadership across the full spectrum of maritime governance.

 

“While we focus our efforts on creating a peaceful and collaborative environment in the Arctic, we’re also responding to the impacts of increased competition in this strategically important region,” said Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “Our continued presence will enable us to reinforce positive opportunities and mitigate negative consequences today and tomorrow.”

 

-USCG-