Polar-class icebreaker

{{Short description|Class of polar icebreakers}} {{About|United States Coast Guard icebreakers|other vessels referred to as polar icebreakers or polar-class icebreakers|Polar icebreaker (disambiguation){{!}}polar icebreaker}} {{Infobox ship  | infobox_caption = Polar class | sclass = 2 |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Polar.jpg | image_caption = {{USCGC|Polar Star|WAGB-10}} }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview | name = | builders = [[Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company]], [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|WA]] | operators = [[United States Coast Guard]] | class_before = [[USS Glacier (AGB-4)|USCGC ''Glacier'']] | class_after = [[Polar_Security_Cutter_program|Polar Security Cutter]] | subclasses = | cost = | built_range = 1972–1978 | in_service_range = 1976–present | in_commission_range = | total_ships_building = | total_ships_planned = | total_ships_completed = 2 | total_ships_canceled = | total_ships_active = 1 | total_ships_laid_up = 1<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2018495262_edit22polar.html |title=Scrapping the Polar Sea stopped while lawmakers search for budgetary icebreaker |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=21 June 2012 |accessdate=2012-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110093745/http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2018495262_edit22polar.html |archive-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> | total_ships_lost = | total_ships_retired = | total_ships_scrapped = | total_ships_preserved = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = <ref name="cf98 p1119">Baker 1998, p. 1119.</ref> | type = Heavy [[icebreaker]] (USCG) | tonnage = | displacement = *{{convert|10863|LT|abbr=on|lk=in}} (standard) *{{convert|13623|LT|abbr=on}} (full) | length = {{convert|399|ft|m|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|83|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|42|m|ftin|abbr=on|disp=flip}} (from waterline) | draft = {{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="jfs85 p772">Moore 1985, p. 772.</ref> | depth = | ice_class = | power = *6 × [[ALCO 251|ALCO 251V-16F]] [[diesel engine]]s {{convert|3000|hp|abbr=on}} ea. *3 × [[Pratt & Whitney FT4|Pratt & Whitney FT4A-12]] [[gas turbine]]s {{convert|25000|hp|abbr=on}} ea. | propulsion = *Combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) *3 shafts; [[controllable pitch propeller]]s | speed = *{{convert|18|kn}} *{{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on}} ice | range = *{{convert|16000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}} *{{convert|28275|nmi}} at {{convert|13|kn}} | endurance = | boats = | capacity = | complement = *15 officers *127 enlisted *33 scientists *12-person helicopter detachment | time_to_activate = | aircraft = | aircraft_facilities = Helipad and hangar | notes = }} }}

'''Polar-class icebreakers''' are two heavy [[icebreaker]]s operated by the [[United States Coast Guard]] (USCG). Cutters {{USCGC|Polar Star|WAGB-10}} and {{USCGC|Polar Sea|WAGB-11}} 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]] and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] research and are the primary icebreakers that clear the channel into [[McMurdo Station]] for supply ships. Both are homeported in [[Seattle]], Washington.

In addition to the two Polar-class icebreakers, the USCG has a third polar-capable icebreaker, {{USCGC|Healy|WAGB-20}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=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 |title=Northrop Grumman to Supply Polar Ice Breaker Navigation Support for U.S. Coast Guard |date=October 20, 2013 |access-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref name=NavyTimes2008-03-25>{{cite news |url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/coastguard_icebreakers_032408w/ |title=CG Steps Up Bid to Rescue Icebreaker Funding |newspaper=[[Navy Times]] |first=Philip |last=Ewing |publisher=Gannett Government Media |date=25 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-01 |quote=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. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104022454/http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/coastguard_icebreakers_032408w/ |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tibbits> {{cite news |title = Allen: Polar Star to be Reactivated by 2013 |first = George |last = Tibbits |url = http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/ap_polar_star_reactivation_031010/ |agency = [[Associated Press]] |newspaper = [[Navy Times]] |publisher = Gannett Government Media |date = 10 March 2010 |accessdate = 2012-12-15 |quote = 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. |archiveurl = https://archive.today/20130129134439/http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/ap_polar_star_reactivation_031010/ |archivedate = 2013-01-29 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=song> {{cite news |title = Icebreaker Polar Star Gets $57 million Overhaul |first = Kyung M. |last = Song |url = http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019907236_coastguard15m.html |newspaper = [[The Seattle Times]] |issn = 0745-9696 |oclc = 9198928 |date = 14 December 2012 |accessdate = 2012-12-15 |quote = 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. |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130725121840/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019907236_coastguard15m.html |archivedate = 2013-07-25 |url-status = live }}</ref> In November 2013 four [[United States Senate|senators]] proposed an amendment to the [[2014 Defense Appropriations Act]] authorizing the construction of four new Polar-class vessels, at a cost of $850 million each.<ref name=SeattleTimes2013-11-29> {{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022357413_polaricebreakersxml.html |title=Washington, Alaska senators pave way for 4 new icebreakers |newspaper=[[Seattle Times]] |first=Kyung M. |last=Song |date=29 November 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-29 |archivedate=2013-11-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129225103/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022357413_polaricebreakersxml.html  |url-status=live |quote=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. }} </ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalnews.me/?id=25975&keys=ICEBREAKER-ALASKA-CONSTRUCTION-POLAR |title=Alaska, Washington Senators Introduce Bipartisan Icebreaker Amendment |work=politicalnews.me |date=29 November 2013 |archivedate=30 November 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130003644/http://politicalnews.me/?id=25975&keys=ICEBREAKER-ALASKA-CONSTRUCTION-POLAR |url-status=dead |quote=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. |access-date=30 November 2013 }}</ref><ref> {{cite news |url = http://www.adn.com/2013/11/28/3202596/senators-push-for-new-heavy-polar.html |title = Senators push for new heavy polar icebreakers |newspaper = [[Anchorage Daily News]] |first = Devin |last = Kelly |date = 28 November 2013 |archivedate = 2013-11-30 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131130011830/http://www.adn.com/2013/11/28/3202596/senators-push-for-new-heavy-polar.html |url-status = live |quote = 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. }}</ref> The four senators sponsoring the amendment were [[Maria Cantwell]] and [[Patty Murray]], from Washington, and [[Mark Begich]] and [[Lisa Murkowski]], from [[Alaska]]. According to the ''[[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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Coast Guard awards $20 million for icebreaker studies|url=https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-awards-20-million-icebreaker-studies/|website=Workboat.com|accessdate=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719024644/https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-awards-20-million-icebreaker-studies/|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The icebreakers are being replaced by 3 heavy and 3 medium icebreakers as part of the [[Polar Security Cutter program|Polar icebreaker 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zukunft: Changing Arctic Could Lead to Armed U.S. Icebreakers in Future Fleet|url=https://news.usni.org/2017/05/18/zukunft-changing-arctic-environment-could-lead-to-more-armed-icebreakers-in-future-fleet|website=news.usni.org|accessdate=19 May 2017|archive-url=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|archive-date=18 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== *{{cite book|last=Baker|first=A. D.|title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1998–1999|year=1998|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA|isbn=1-55750-111-4}} *{{cite book|last=Moore|first=John|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1985–86|year=1985|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|isbn=0-7106-0814-4}}

==External links== {{Commonscat-inline|Polar class icebreakers}} *[http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/#cutters USCG Cutter Datasheet]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polar-class icebreaker}} [[Category:Auxiliary icebreaker classes]] [[Category:Polar-class icebreakers| ]] [[Category:Ships built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company]]