Showing posts with label icebreaker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label icebreaker. Show all posts

Scene on the Sound: USCGC Polar Star returns to Seattle

Monday, September 2, 2024

USCG Polar Star
Photo by Jan Hansen

This week the Polar Star returned to its homeport in Seattle. 

Three icebreakers are homeported in Puget Sound, but only one is operational at this time.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star returned to its home port of Seattle, Washington, on August 25, 2024 after a major service life-extending overhaul – and not a moment too soon.

The medium icebreaker USCGC Healy, the service’s only other icebreaker available for operations in the Arctic and Antarctica, also sailed back into Seattle earlier this month after suffering a fire that forced its crew to abandon a planned deployment to the High North.

Polar Sea history. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Briana Carter
The Polar Sea is being taken out of service

From Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS):

A document detailing the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea (WAGB 11) conducting the first solo circumnavigation of the North American continent by a U.S. vessel sits on display during a farewell gathering to the Polar Sea at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Washington, August 27, 2024. 

The Polar Sea will be moved to Mare Island Drydock in Vallejo, California, in preparation for storage in the Suisun Naval Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California.

--Jan Hansen


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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy arrives in Seattle following scientific research, onboard fire

Sunday, August 25, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) arrives in Seattle
Photo courtesy USCG Pacific Area

SEATTLE — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) arrived in Seattle Friday, August 23, 2024 after conducting scientific research in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean in support of the Arctic Observing Network, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). 

Healy’s crew and embarked researchers conducted more than 150 conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) casts to investigate the circulation and properties of the water, monitored for signs of harmful algal blooms, and collected observations on marine mammals and birds in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

It takes 14 crew members to handle the buoy
Photo courtesy USCG Pacific Area

Additionally, two subsurface moorings were deployed that are equipped with multiple sensors collecting oceanographic data on the physical, chemical, and biological state of the Arctic Ocean. This year’s work builds on more than two decades of research to improve understanding of the Pacific Arctic ecosystem in a changing climate.

On July 25, 2024, while underway in the vicinity of Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, Healy experienced an electrical fire on a transformer impacting one of the ship’s two main propulsion motors. The crew swiftly extinguished the fire with no personnel casualties. 

Healy’s crew and contractors restored power to the affected motor. However, out of abundance of caution, the cutter returned to Seattle to ensure all redundant systems are fully operational before returning to the Arctic.

“Healy’s crew and scientific researchers completed valuable data collection throughout the Bering Sea and the eastern Beaufort Sea in support of the Arctic Observing Network,” said Capt. Michele Schallip, Healy’s commanding officer. 
“While transiting to a collection site, we suffered a fire on a transformer. I am immensely proud of the crew for quickly extinguishing the fire and limiting damage to that equipment. In the Arctic, there are few rescue resources, and ice-covered waters make it difficult for rescue assets. 
"Crews operating in polar waters must be well-trained for emergency response, and responsible operation includes addressing any system degradation on a vessel before continuing operation in the high latitudes.”

Polar bear on roadside ice
Photo courtesy USCG Pacific

Healy is the United States' largest polar icebreaker and the Coast Guard’s only icebreaker designed and equipped with scientific instrumentation by the NSF to support Arctic research. The platform is ideally specialized for scientific missions, providing access to the most remote reaches of the Arctic Ocean. Healy is designed to break 4.5 feet of ice continuously at three knots and can operate in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.


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Scene on the Sound: The Healy

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Photo by Jan Hansen

At 8:15 this Saturday evening the Coast Guard icebreaker, Healy sailed past.

Wikipedia:

USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is the United States' largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker as well as the US Coast Guard's largest vessel.[1] She is classified as a medium icebreaker by the Coast Guard.[1] 

She is homeported in Seattle, Washington, and was commissioned in 1999. On 6 September 2001 Healy visited the North Pole for the first time. 

The second visit occurred on 12 September 2005. On 5 September 2015,Healy became the first unaccompanied United States surface vessel to reach the North Pole, and Healy's fourth Pole visit (and her second unaccompanied visit) happened on 30 September 2022.

See previous stories about locally homeported icebreakers Healy and Polar Star here


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Icebreaker Polar Star completes its Antarctic mission and returns to the U.S.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Polar Star sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco CA
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Autumn Riewestahl

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star and crew have returned to the United States after a monumental 138-day deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2024!

This marks the Polar Star's 27th journey to Antarctica to support this crucial mission.

During their deployment, the crew traveled over 27,500 miles, navigating through various oceans and breaking through thick Antarctic ice to ensure the delivery of vital supplies, including nine million gallons of fuel and 80 million pounds of cargo, to resupply the United States Antarctic stations, in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) – the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP).

"The successful completion of this mission stands as a testament to the relentless commitment and selflessness exhibited by our crew," said Capt. Keith Ropella, Polar Star's commanding officer. 
"Despite adverse weather, difficult ice, and formidable mechanical challenges, the crew of Polar Star not only achieved their mission but did so with remarkable expertise and teamwork, proof of their devotion to duty and dedication to their shipmates."

During the patrol, the crew touched FOUR continents. (Do you have any guesses about which ones they visited?)

The Polar Star is now in Vallejo, California, where it will undergo phase four of its five-year Service Life Extension Project, ensuring the 48-year-old cutter remains a vital asset for years to come.

Read more about their journey here 

Polar Star is homeported in Seattle and is frequently seen sailing by Shoreline.


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Crew of Polar Star held medal ceremony on the Ross Ice Shelf in the Bay of Whales

Sunday, March 10, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Josh Tangermann, a boatswain’s mate, and Lt. j. g. Andrew Lavallee, assistant operations officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10), walk towards the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, Feb. 3, 2024. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves

The crew of the Polar Star held their Antarctica Service Medal ceremony while on the Ross Ice Shelf in the Bay of Whales. The criteria for the medal includes spending a minimum of 10 days below the 60th parallel, emphasizing their sustained commitment to operational excellence.

Notably, this recognition is open to both active-duty personnel and civilians, underscoring the diverse contributions made to Antarctic missions.

The U.S. military's support of U.S. Antarctic research began in 1955. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command continues to lead the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica team in providing logistic support for the United States Antarctic Program. 

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Don Rudnickas, the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) operations officer, salutes Cmdr. Jayna McCarron, Polar Star’s executive officer, prior to a medal ceremony for Polar Star’s crew on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, Feb. 3, 2024. 

The U.S. military's support of U.S. Antarctic research began in 1955. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command continues to lead the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica team in providing logistic support for the United States Antarctic Program. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star is one of two icebreakers (USCG Healy is the other) homeported in Seattle and frequently seen in the waters off Shoreline.


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Icebreaker Polar Star escorts container ship through the ice to McMurdo Station

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Polar Star and Gladiator

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) escorts the cargo ship Ocean Gladiator through the ice channel in the McMurdo Sound, January 21, 2024. Photo by U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Burgess

Every year, a joint and total force team works together to complete a successful Operation Deep Freeze season. Active, Guard, and Reserve service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy work together to forge a Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica - that continues the tradition of U.S. military support to the United States Antarctic Program. 

Following the successful breakthrough of a 38 nautical mile channel through the fast ice, (ice that extends out from the shore and is attached to it) the Polar Star escorted the Ocean Gladiator (container ship) and the Acadia Trader (fuel ship) safely to McMurdo Station.

These supply ships provide essential resources, including fuel, to sustain operations and scientific activities in Antarctica until the next Austral summer.

After both supply ships are escorted out, the Polar Star will start her voyage back to the United States, with stops in New Zealand and Japan!

Gladiator (left) and Polar Star

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) is seen escorting the cargo ship Ocean Gladiator through the ice channel in the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 21, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Burgess)


The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) is seen from overhead escorting the cargo ship Ocean Gladiator through the ice channel in the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Burgess

The U.S. military's support of U.S. Antarctic research began in 1955. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command continues to lead the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica team in providing logistic support for the United States Antarctic Program. 

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Kalinoski, a boatswain’s mate, observes the fuel ship Acadia Trader as the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) comes alongside it during a fueling evolution in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 30, 2024. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves


The cargo ship Ocean Gladiator transfers cargo between the ship and McMurdo Station prior to being escorted through the ice channel by the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) in the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 31, 2024. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves

Every year, a joint and total force team works together to complete a successful Operation Deep Freeze season. Active, Guard, and Reserve service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy work together to forge a Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica -that continues the proud tradition of U.S. military support to the United States Antarctic Program. 


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Icebreaker Polar Star successfully plows a channel through the ice to McMurdo Station in Antarctica

Thursday, February 8, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star breaks a channel through the ice in the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Dec. 30, 2023. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Burgess.

Polar Star has successfully established a navigable channel through the ice to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. 

The channel ensures an uninterrupted resupply for McMurdo Station, a critical hub for the United States Antarctic Program. 

Broken 'fast' ice with Transantarctic mountains in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Jan. 14, 2024.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves

As the nation’s sole operational heavy icebreaker, the vessel is indispensable to sustaining both scientific research and logistical operations in the Antarctic region. 

The completion of the channel underscores the capability and dedication of the crew—enduring the harsh environmental conditions while maintaining the 48-year-old cutter through a challenging mission.

The U.S. military's support of U.S. Antarctic research began in 1955. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command proudly continues to lead the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica team in providing logistic support for the United States Antarctic Program.

The Polar Star is homeported in Seattle and passes by Shoreline on its way in and out of Puget Sound.


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Adventures of an Icebreaker: New Year's Eve at the bottom of the earth

Monday, January 22, 2024

Meeting the strange creatures
Photo by PA3 Graves

As the clock ticked down to midnight, the Polar Star was in the midst of breaking a channel through the frozen McMurdo Sound.

Karaoke for New Year;s
Photo by PA3 Graves

Our crew gathered for a one-of-a-kind celebration featuring karaoke, sparkling cider toasts, and a ball drop to count down to 2024.

All hands on ice
Photo by PA3 Graves

Just a couple of days prior, the crew held their first all-hands meeting on the ice, which included several awards and advancements. 


This was followed by a couple of hours of ice liberty, with the ice rescue team seizing the opportunity to refine their skills and practice recovery techniques as the brow was lowered.


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Polar Star leaving Sydney and headed to Antarctica

Sunday, December 17, 2023

The Polar Star in the Sydney Harbor

The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star set sail from Sydney, Australia, on Thursday, after "an incredible few days in port." 


The crew had the privilege of engaging with community partners and exploring the vibrant city. They conducted tours of the boat for locals.


"From sharing stories to building connections, it was a memorable time ashore!"


Following Sydney, they continue their journey south toward Antarctica, where they will support Operation Deep Freeze.

The Polar Star is homeported in Seattle and frequently seen by westside residents on the waters of Puget Sound.

Photos courtesy U.S. Coast Guard 


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Polar Star: G'Day from Australia

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Sydney Australia harbor at night
Photo courtesy US Coast Guard

As the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s crew sailed into Sydney, they rendered honors to the H.M.A.S. Sydney Memorial Mast, commemorating the brave individuals who served in the Royal Australian Navy and remembering the ships and crews lost in service.

The Polar Star’s stop in Sydney is a part of their journey to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze, supporting the National Science Foundation (NSF) United States Antarctic Program through joint service and inter-agency collaboration.

While in port, the Polar Star’s crew looks forward to engaging with the local community and soaking in the vibrant culture and sights of Sydney!


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Polar Star crosses the equator

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Journey to the center of the earth
Photo by PA3 Ryan Graves

The Polar Star crew has officially crossed the Equator and the International Date Line, also known as ‘the X,’ on their transit to Antarctica!

The crew marked the occasion with a time-honored line crossing ceremony that transformed sailors who haven’t crossed the “X” before into “Golden Shellbacks.” Embracing the maritime traditions of the sea, new members underwent team building challenges as they were cheered on and welcomed as Golden Shellbacks. 

Eating barbeque on the deck
Photo by PA3 Ryan Graves

As the festivities concluded, the crew gathered for a Luau and camaraderie on the flight deck— complete with Hawaiian-inspired theme, music, and a delicious spread of island cuisine. 

Swimming in equatorial waters
Photo by EM3 Alex Ambrose

On the following day, everyone had the opportunity to enjoy a deep-water swim call and “Steel Beach” aboard the flight deck.


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Polar Star crew training on the way to Australia

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Training for shipboard fires
Photo by PA3 Ryan Graves

While on the way to Australia, the Polar Star crew has been focused on training and conducting a series of drills and shipboard exercises.
 
These exercises focus on emergency responses for shipboard fires, flooding, steering casualties, collisions, and man overboard recoveries.

Man overboard training
Photo by PA3 Ryan Graves
These drills ensure we keep our ship and crew safe; even in remote locations like Antarctica. 

The Afloat Training Organization (ATO), the Coast Guard’s official shipboard training team, joined us in Hawaii to assist our onboard training teams and hone our casualty response skills.
 
There is a dual focus on individual proficiency and teamwork that will ensure a safe and successful journey.

The Polar Star is one of two Coast Guard icebreakers homeported in Seattle and often seen on Puget Sound.

--From the reports of the icebreaker Polar Star.


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U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star departs Pearl Harbor

Monday, December 4, 2023

The entire crew lined the railing to pay homage to the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Graves

So long and farewell to Hawaii, after making our last logistics stop in the U.S. and enjoying some R&R, the crew of the Polar Star is headed to their next port call enroute to Antarctica.

As we departed Pearl Harbor, the Polar Star crew stood united in respect as they passed the hallowed waters of the USS Arizona. A poignant reminder of sacrifice, duty, and the strength of our nation.

Of the 2,403 U.S. lives that were lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 1,177, or nearly half, died aboard the USS Arizona.
 
The USS Arizona is one of only two sites where U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and Merchant Marine vessels render honors to a fixed location.


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Icebreaker Polar Star sailing to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Previously we have followed the icebreaker Healy as it sailed through the arctic, conducting science experiments and research in conjunction with Canada, Iceland, and Russia and returning home via the Atlantic and the Panama Canal.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Graves

Now her sister ship the Polar Star has officially set sail in support of Operation Deep Freeze! 🌊🚢🌊

ODF is a crucial mission that ensures delivery of critical supplies to sustain the U.S. Antarctic Program's year-round operations and supports international partnership in the harsh Antarctic environment.

Since leaving Seattle on November 21, 2023, the crew has already successfully executed multiple training drills, held a promotion ceremony for four of the officers aboard, and even caught its first rainbow on its way to the Rainbow State! 🌈

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Graves

On November 23, they made port in Honolulu, in time for Thanksgiving. Despite being far from home, they had a delicious feast prepared by talented Culinary Specialists onboard.


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Icebreaker Healy training with Air Station Miami

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Healy in waters off Miami Florida
Photo courtesy Air Station Miami

Our favorite hometown icebreaker, the USCGC Healy was recently in Florida where the crew had the chance to train with Air Station Miami. Both teams were delighted with the opportunity.

Air Station Miami said,
What an opportunity!! One of our helicopter crews had the opportunity to conduct Deck Landing Qualifications on the one and only CGC Healy!!! The Healy is one of our icebreakers and was transiting through the area. Thank you to the crew for working with our aviators!!

And Healy returned the love.
USCGC Healy greatly appreciates U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami’s flexibility and professionalism in conducting flight operations with us while we transited off the coast of Florida. We enjoyed the training and it allowed us to qualify several crewmembers, too!

The Coast Guard Cutter HEALY (WAGB - 20) is United States' newest and most technologically advanced polar icebreaker.

HEALY is designed to conduct a wide range of research activities, providing more than 4,200 square feet of scientific laboratory space, numerous electronic sensor systems, oceanographic winches, and accommodations for up to 50 scientists. HEALY is designed to break 4.5 feet of ice continuously at three knots and can operate in temperatures as low as -50 degrees F.

She is homeported in Seattle and is frequently seen from Shoreline.


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There goes the neighborhood

Monday, September 25, 2023

Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

On Aug. 12, 2023, the dedicated team aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) worked with researchers and tech support to strategically position an ice gateway buoy light in the Beaufort Sea.

The residents took note.


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Coast Guard in the Arctic: High-latitude maritime Artificial Intelligence

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Technology aboard the Healy
Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

YOLO! But we don't mean You Only Live Once!

It's time to see what the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy has been up to and talk about high-latitude maritime Artificial Intelligence!

The changing environment in the Arctic is leading to increased marine traffic. As the maritime industry embraces technology like AI on vessels, having datasets from the Arctic environment to train new models on is critical to making tools that will work in this environment.

A team on the Healy is collecting arctic imagery to serve as a basis for AI Computer Vision Models.

An MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MITLL) and a Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) team are using the MITLL system to record infrared video and still imagery.

Due to the long periods of darkness in the Arctic, the use of infrared technology to develop models that will still work at night was important to the team.

Cmdr. Blair Sweigart, PhD, who directs the service’s AI research portfolio, is running the project on the vessel. As the imagery is collected, he and his team are also running preliminary tests with standard computer vision models like YOLO (You Only Look Once) version 8, to better understand the need for model retraining. 

The work also supports the RDC Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Branch’s research project on computer vision.

The MITLL team, led by Amna Graves and Jo Kurucar, is looking to make the dataset publicly available to allow a broader community to work on models that will benefit those working in the Arctic maritime regions.

The project is a collaboration between MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MITLL) and the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC). The resulting dataset will be used to develop AI tools for the Arctic region.


--U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is homeported in Puget Sound



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Meanwhile, in the Arctic...

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Decorated wooden boats will provide information about ocean currents

U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy crew members, researchers, and members of the Norwegian Coast Guard and Royal Navy decorated wooden boats for the International Arctic Buoy Program’s “Float Your Boat” educational outreach project on September 13, 2023. 

Starting its voyage on the Arctic ice

Each boat has a unique serial number to be entered into an online form (along with its coordinates) at ‘floatboat.org” by anyone who finds it. 

The information is used to collect data about ocean currents. Members onboard Healy deployed over 300 of these boats in the Arctic Ocean on this year’s voyage alone; and thousands have participated in this program starting in 2015. 

To learn more about this program or report a found boat, visit floatboat.org.

The Healy is homeported in Puget Sound and is often seen from Shoreline.

Photos by U.S. Army Sergeant Carter Acton and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Norman Enriquez.


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Icebreaker Healy back in the Arctic

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Edge stood bear watch from the bridge wing, a critical safety component for working at high latitudes. Photo courtesy Healy crew.

Let's go to the Arctic and check back in with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy!


The Healy crew and scientists have been working hard over the past few weeks. They have been conducting some interesting science missions in the Beaufort Sea.


Working in cooperation with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) they offloaded a diverse collection of equipment on to an ice floe carefully selected for its size and composition of multi-year ice. 


The ONR Arctic Mobile Observing System program focuses on developing technologies for making continuous, long-term scientific observations of the Arctic marine environment. 

The blue and white ice is a function of multi-year ice

The sea ice covers in the Arctic Ocean is a critical environmental parameter that impacts maritime operations, and more direct observations of Arctic sea ice are needed to enable a better understanding of the changes going on in the Arctic.

A bear showed up the day after the crew finished on the ice

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is homeported in Puget Sound.


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Scene on the Sound: USCG Healy is back in Puget Sound

Friday, May 26, 2023

Photo by Jan Hansen
The US Coast Guard Cutter Healy sailed back into Puget Sound on Wednesday through air clouded with wildfire smoke from Canada.

The Healy is an icebreaker which makes an international research run every year through the Arctic. You can see previous stories about the Healy and other icebreakers here.

Photo by Jan Hansen

The sun cut through the haze a bit for a slightly clearer view.


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