Polar class icebreaker

USCG photo of USCG Polar Star Icebreaker (WAGB 10)

USCG Polar-capable heavy icebreakers consist of three vessels, USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10), USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11), and USCGC Healy (WAGB-20). Polar Star and Polar Sea comprise the Polar class, while Healy is a larger, more modern design and constitutes an entirely different polar-capable icebreaker class. These cutters, specifically designed for open-water icebreaking, have reinforced hulls, special icebreaking bows, and a system that allows rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their icebreaking. These vessels conduct Arctic and Antarctic research and are the primary icebreakers which clear the channel into McMurdo Station for supply ships. All are homeported out of Seattle, Washington.

Healy specifications

• Length: 420 feet (130 m)
• Beam: 82 feet (25 m)
• Designed draft: 29 feet (8.8 m)
• Displacement : 16,000 tons
• Propulsion: Diesel Electric, AC/AC Cycloconverter
• Shaft horsepower (2 shafts): 30,000 hp (22 MW) max
• Commissioned: June 1999

Polar class specifications

• Length: 399 feet (122 m)
• Beam: 83.5 feet (25.5 m)
• Designed draft: 28 feet (8.5 m)
• Top of mast above waterline: 138 feet (42 m)
• Displacement at designed draft: 13,194 tons
• Propulsion: Diesel Electric or Gas Turbine
• Shaft horsepower (3 shafts): 18,000 hp (diesel), 60,000 hp (gas turbine), 75,000 hp (demand thrust)
• Potable water (100%): 26,586 US gallons (101 m³)
• General cargo: 400 tons
• Cargo volume (upper/lower hold): 350/250 m³
• Maximum cargo dimensions: 7 by 11 by 7 ft (2.1 by 3.4 by 2.1 m)
• Commissioned: 1976 & 1978

External links

• USCG Cutter Datasheet