# Polar-class icebreaker

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Class of polar icebreakers

This article is about United States Coast Guard icebreakers. For other vessels referred to as polar icebreakers or polar-class icebreakers, see [polar icebreaker](/source/Polar_icebreaker_(disambiguation)).

Polar class USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) Class overview Builders Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, WA Operators United States Coast Guard Preceded by USCGC Glacier Succeeded by Polar Security Cutter Built 1972–1978 In service 1976–present Completed 2 Active 1 Laid up 1[1] General characteristics [2] Type Heavy icebreaker (USCG) Displacement 10,863 long tons (11,037 t) (standard) 13,623 long tons (13,842 t) (full) Length 399 ft (122 m) Beam 83 ft 6 in (25.45 m) Height 137 ft 10 in (42 m) (from waterline) Draft 31 ft (9.4 m)[3] Installed power 6 × ALCO 251V-16F diesel engines 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) ea. 3 × Pratt & Whitney FT4A-12 gas turbines 25,000 hp (19,000 kW) ea. Propulsion Combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) 3 shafts; controllable pitch propellers Speed 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) in 6-foot (1.8 m) ice Range 16,000 nautical miles (30,000 km; 18,000 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) 28,275 nautical miles (52,365 km; 32,538 mi) at 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) Complement 15 officers 127 enlisted 33 scientists 12-person helicopter detachment Aviation facilities Helipad and hangar

**Polar-class icebreakers** are two heavy [icebreakers](/source/Icebreaker) operated by the [United States Coast Guard](/source/United_States_Coast_Guard) (USCG). Cutters [USCGC *Polar Star* (WAGB-10)](/source/USCGC_Polar_Star) and [USCGC *Polar Sea* (WAGB-11)](/source/USCGC_Polar_Sea) have reinforced hulls, special icebreaking bows, and a system that allows rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their icebreaking. The vessels conduct [Arctic](/source/Arctic) and [Antarctic](/source/Antarctica) research and are the primary icebreakers that clear the channel into [McMurdo Station](/source/McMurdo_Station) for supply ships. Both are homeported in [Seattle](/source/Seattle), Washington.

In addition to the two Polar-class icebreakers, the USCG has a third polar-capable icebreaker, [USCGC *Healy* (WAGB-20)](/source/USCGC_Healy).[4]

Both *Polar Star* and *Polar Sea* are near the end of their effective lifetimes, and have spent years moored because they were in need of expensive and unbudgeted upgrades.[5][6][7] In November 2013 four [senators](/source/United_States_Senate) proposed an amendment to the [2014 Defense Appropriations Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2014_Defense_Appropriations_Act&action=edit&redlink=1) authorizing the construction of four new Polar-class vessels, at a cost of $850 million each.[8][9][10] The four senators sponsoring the amendment were [Maria Cantwell](/source/Maria_Cantwell) and [Patty Murray](/source/Patty_Murray), from Washington, and [Mark Begich](/source/Mark_Begich) and [Lisa Murkowski](/source/Lisa_Murkowski), from [Alaska](/source/Alaska). According to the *[Seattle Times](/source/Seattle_Times)* the chances that the amendment will survive into the bill, as passed, are slim. On February 22, 2017, the U.S Coast Guard announced it had awarded five fixed-price contracts worth $20 million for the future heavy polar icebreaker design studies and analysis.[11] The icebreakers are being replaced by 3 heavy and 3 medium icebreakers as part of the [Polar icebreaker program](/source/Polar_Security_Cutter_program). On May 18, 2017, Adm. Paul Zukunft said that due to changes in the Arctic, the Coast Guard may have to increase the number of the future icebreakers, and the future icebreakers may have a requirement for space, weight, and power reserved for offensive and defensive weaponry which may include an anti-ship missile package.[12]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Scrapping the Polar Sea stopped while lawmakers search for budgetary icebreaker"](http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2018495262_edit22polar.html). *[The Seattle Times](/source/The_Seattle_Times)*. 21 June 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140110093745/http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2018495262_edit22polar.html) from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 2012-12-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cf98_p1119_2-0)** Baker 1998, p. 1119.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-jfs85_p772_3-0)** Moore 1985, p. 772.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Northrop Grumman to Supply Polar Ice Breaker Navigation Support for U.S. Coast Guard"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131021120752/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/october-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/1311--northrop-grumman-to-supply-polar-ice-breaker-navigation-support-for-us-coast-guard.html). October 20, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/october-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/1311--northrop-grumman-to-supply-polar-ice-breaker-navigation-support-for-us-coast-guard.html) on October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NavyTimes2008-03-25_5-0)** Ewing, Philip (25 March 2008). ["CG Steps Up Bid to Rescue Icebreaker Funding"](http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/coastguard_icebreakers_032408w/). *[Navy Times](/source/Navy_Times)*. Gannett Government Media. Retrieved 2008-03-01. And it laid out a set of options for the Coast Guard's Arctic capability, which included:...25-year service life extensions for the older ships, at a cost of about $400 million per ship.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tibbits_6-0)** Tibbits, George (10 March 2010). ["Allen: Polar Star to be Reactivated by 2013"](http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/ap_polar_star_reactivation_031010/). *[Navy Times](/source/Navy_Times)*. Gannett Government Media. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). Retrieved 2012-12-15. After a $62 million overhaul, the Coast Guard will have its third icebeaker back in service in 2013, filling a critical need as the fleet takes on new responsibilities, the commandant of the service said Wednesday.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-song_7-0)** Song, Kyung M. (14 December 2012). ["Icebreaker Polar Star Gets $57 million Overhaul"](http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019907236_coastguard15m.html). *[The Seattle Times](/source/The_Seattle_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0745-9696](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0745-9696). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [9198928](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/9198928). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130725121840/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019907236_coastguard15m.html) from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2012-12-15. The U.S. Coast Guard reactivated the Polar Star Friday after a four-year, $57 million overhaul at Vigor Industrial shipyard. The 34-year-old ship is to undergo testing next year before once again plying the frozen Arctic regions.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SeattleTimes2013-11-29_8-0)** Song, Kyung M. (29 November 2013). ["Washington, Alaska senators pave way for 4 new icebreakers"](http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022357413_polaricebreakersxml.html). *[Seattle Times](/source/Seattle_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131129225103/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022357413_polaricebreakersxml.html) from the original on 2013-11-29. Retrieved 2013-11-29. The four U.S. senators from Washington and Alaska are seeking to authorize construction of as many as four new heavy-duty icebreakers, vastly expanding the Coast Guard's beleaguered Seattle-based icebreaker fleet.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Alaska, Washington Senators Introduce Bipartisan Icebreaker Amendment"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131130003644/http://politicalnews.me/?id=25975&keys=ICEBREAKER-ALASKA-CONSTRUCTION-POLAR). *politicalnews.me*. 29 November 2013. Archived from [the original](http://politicalnews.me/?id=25975&keys=ICEBREAKER-ALASKA-CONSTRUCTION-POLAR) on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013. The United States currently has only two operational icebreakers, the Healy and the Polar Star. The Polar Star is currently in Seattle preparing to depart on December 3rd for Antarctica after years of extensive retrofitting.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Kelly, Devin (28 November 2013). ["Senators push for new heavy polar icebreakers"](http://www.adn.com/2013/11/28/3202596/senators-push-for-new-heavy-polar.html). *[Anchorage Daily News](/source/Anchorage_Daily_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131130011830/http://www.adn.com/2013/11/28/3202596/senators-push-for-new-heavy-polar.html) from the original on 2013-11-30. According to the language of the amendment, the Navy will be directed to build up to four new heavy icebreakers and then transfer the ships to the U.S. Coast Guard, which takes sole responsibility for polar missions. A hefty price tag accompanies the proposal -- each icebreaker costs about $860 million, said Heather Handyside, a spokeswoman for Begich.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Coast Guard awards $20 million for icebreaker studies"](https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-awards-20-million-icebreaker-studies/). *Workboat.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180719024644/https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-awards-20-million-icebreaker-studies/) from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Zukunft: Changing Arctic Could Lead to Armed U.S. Icebreakers in Future Fleet"](https://news.usni.org/2017/05/18/zukunft-changing-arctic-environment-could-lead-to-more-armed-icebreakers-in-future-fleet). *news.usni.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170518222312/https://news.usni.org/2017/05/18/zukunft-changing-arctic-environment-could-lead-to-more-armed-icebreakers-in-future-fleet) from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

### Bibliography

- Baker, A. D. (1998). *The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1998–1999*. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55750-111-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-55750-111-4).

- Moore, John (1985). *Jane's Fighting Ships 1985–86*. London: Jane's Yearbooks. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7106-0814-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7106-0814-4).

## External links

Media related to [Polar class icebreakers](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Polar_class_icebreakers) at Wikimedia Commons

- [USCG Cutter Datasheet](http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/#cutters)

v t e Polar-class icebreakers Polar Star Polar Sea Preceded by: Pamlico class Followed by: Bay class List of cutters of the United States Coast Guard

v t e United States Coast Guard Leadership Secretary of Homeland Security Commandant of the Coast Guard Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Organization Missions Auxiliary Investigative Service Legal Division Police Reserve Sectors Stations Air Stations Radio stations Atlantic Area U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District U.S. Coast Guard East District U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District U.S. Coast Guard Heartland District U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District Pacific Area U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District Deputy Commandant for Mission Support Coast Guard Academy Maritime Law Enforcement Academy Research & Development Center Special Missions Training Center Training Center Cape May Training Center Petaluma Training Center Yorktown Yard Aviation Technical Training Center Elizabeth City Aviation Training Center Mobile Leadership Development Center Deputy Commandant for Operations Intelligence U.S. National Ice Center Cyber Command National Command Center Personnel Personnel Officer ranks Enlisted ranks Ratings Aviation Association Chaplain of the Coast Guard Four-star admirals Three-star admirals Uniforms and equipment Uniforms Equipment Awards Badges Cutters list Ship commissioning Ship decommissioning History and traditions History Coast Guard Act Coast Guard City Life-Saving Service Revenue Cutter Service Lighthouse Service Steamboat Inspection Service Bureau of Navigation "Semper Paratus" Flag Ensign Racing Stripe United States Coast Guard Band United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard United States Coast Guard Pipe Band Fleet Week Coast Guard service numbers Coast Guardsman's Creed United States Coast Guard Cutters Coast Guard Bears SPARS Battles and operations Quasi-War War of 1812 West Indies anti-piracy operations Capture of the schooner Bravo Ingham Incident Amistad Incident Great Lakes Patrol Mexican–American War American Civil War Battle of Fort Sumter Battle of Pig Point Battle of Galveston Harbor Battle of Portland Harbor Overland Relief Expedition Spanish–American War Battle of Manila Bay Battle of Cárdenas Ice Patrol World War I 1st Battle of the Atlantic Great Mississippi Flood Rum Patrol World War II 2nd Battle of the Atlantic Battle of Guam Operation Overlord Korean War Vietnam War Coast Guard Squadron One Operation Market Time Operation Sealords Action of 1 March 1968 Persian Gulf War War on terror Afghanistan War Iraq War Operation Enduring Freedom HOA Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polar-class icebreaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar-class_icebreaker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar-class_icebreaker?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.