View source for USCGC Polar Sea

{{Short description|United States Coast Guard heavy icebreaker ship}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[Image:USCGCPolarSea.jpg|none|300px|USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB 11)]]
|Ship caption=
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=[[United States]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|coast guard}}
|Ship name=
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company]], [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|WA]]
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|Ship commissioned=23 February 1978
|Ship decommissioned=
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|Ship identification={{IMO Number|7391252}}
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|Ship status=Out of service since 2010<ref name="seattletimes15june">[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018443011_apwacoastguardicebreakers1stldwritethru.html Reprieve for Seattle-based icebreaker Polar Sea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719025534/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018443011_apwacoastguardicebreakers1stldwritethru.html |date=2012-07-19 }}. Seattle Times, 15 June 2012. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-07-04}}</ref>
|Ship notes=
|Ship nickname=''Building 11'', ''Polar Roller'', ''What a Great Boat'', ''Wandering Arctic Garbage Barge'', ''Red Tubs of Fun'', ''We Always Go Bye-Bye''<ref>U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Cutternicknames.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825202453/http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Cutternicknames.pdf |date=2011-08-25 }}  Retrieved 2012-01-15.</ref>  <!-- if you're going to include a nickname, cite a reference for it -->
|Ship motto=''Always Summer, Never Warm''
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=<ref name="cf98 p1119">Baker 1998, p. 1119.</ref>
|Ship class={{sclass2|Polar|icebreaker|1}} - Heavy
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|10863|LT|abbr=on|lk=in}} (standard)
*{{convert|13623|LT|abbr=on}} (full)
|Ship length={{convert|399|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|83|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="jfs85 p772">Moore 1985, p. 772.</ref>
|Ship power=*Six Alco 16V-251F [[diesel engine]]s (6{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}3,000{{nbsp}}hp)
*Three [[Pratt & Whitney]] FT-4A12 [[gas turbine]]s (3{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}25,000 hp)
|Ship propulsion=*Combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG)
*Three shafts; [[Variable-pitch propeller (marine)|controllable-pitch propeller]]s
|Ship speed=*{{convert|18|kn}}
*{{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on}} ice
|Ship range=*{{convert|16000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}}
*{{convert|28275|nmi}} at {{convert|13|kn}}
|Ship complement=*15 officers
*127 enlisted
*33 scientists
*12-person helicopter detachment
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
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|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=2 [[HH-65 Dolphin|HH-65C Dolphin]] [[helicopter]]s
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|}

'''USCGC ''Polar Sea'' (WAGB-11)''' is a [[United States Coast Guard]] heavy [[icebreaker]].  Commissioned on 23 February 1978,<ref>{{cite book |last=Polmar |first=Norman |date=2013 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |page=600 |isbn=978-1-59114-687-2}}</ref> the ship was built by [[Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company]] of Seattle along with her sister ship, [[USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)|''Polar Star'' (WAGB-10)]]. Her [[home port]] is [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]].

''Polar Sea'' has been out of service {{as of|2010|lc=on}} due to failure of five of her six [[Alco]] main diesel engines. Between 2010 and 2023, the ''Polar Sea'' has been used as a parts donor for sister ship the ''[[Polar Star]]''. In 2024, the ship was towed to and placed in mothball status in [[Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet|Suisun Bay, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8613610/polar-sea-farewell-gathering |title=Polar Sea Farewell Gathering [Image 11 of 15] |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024-08-27 |website=DVIDS.net |publisher=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |access-date=2024-11-15 |quote=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.}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Source predicts the upcoming move rather than reports the accomplished move.|date=November 2024}}

==Machinery==
''Polar Sea'' has a computerized [[Marine propulsion|propulsion]] control system to effectively manage six diesel-powered propulsion generators, three diesel-powered ship's service generators, three propulsion [[gas turbines]], and other equipment vital to the operation of the ship. Its three shafts are each turned by either one [[gas turbine]] or two [[diesel-electric]] [[power plant]]s. Each shaft is connected to a 16-foot (4.9-m) diameter, four-bladed, controllable-pitch [[Propeller (marine)|propeller]]. For all three shafts, the diesel-electric plants can produce a total of 18,000 shaft [[horsepower]] (13,425 kilowatts) and the gas turbine plants a total of 75,000 demand shaft horsepower (56 MW) or 60,000 continuous horsepower (44.8 MW).<ref name="USCGC Polar Sea">{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcpolarsea/ship.asp|title=USCGC Polar Sea|access-date=2010-09-20|publisher=USCGC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204170258/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcpolarsea/ship.asp|archive-date=2010-12-04|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Hull design and strength==
''Polar Sea'' has sufficient hull strength to absorb the high-powered icebreaking common to her operations. The shell plating and associated internal support structure are fabricated from steel with superior low-temperature strength. The portion of the hull designed to ram ice is 1{{frac|3|4}} inches thick (44&nbsp;mm) in the [[bow (ship)|bow]] and [[stern]] sections, and 1{{frac|1|4}} inches thick (32&nbsp;mm) amidships. The hull strength is produced almost entirely from a sophisticated internal support structure that features [[wikt:canted|canted]] ribs for approximately the forward two-thirds of the ship's frame. ''Polar Sea'''s hull shape is designed to maximize icebreaking by efficiently combining the forces of the ship's forward motion, the downward pull of [[gravity]] on the bow, and the upward push of the inherent [[buoyancy]] of the stern. The curved bow and heavy weight allows ''Polar Sea'' to force ice edges to break off downward as cusps. This design does not use sharp edges or hammer-like blows to cut or break the ice, as the round bow and massive weight are sufficient.  With high power to back it up, the 13,000-ton (13,200-metric ton) ''Polar Sea'' is able to continuously progress through 6 feet (1.8 m) of new hard ice at 3 knots (6&nbsp;km/h) and break up to 21 feet when using back-and-ram methods. An extreme exception to this occurred during a rapid transit to Pt. Barrow, Alaska between January 29 and February 11, 1981. While traversing 1000 miles of sea ice, ''Polar Sea'' was able to break through ice up to 40&nbsp;ft thick.<ref>USCG Commandant's Bulletin 14-81, March 30, 1981, page 11</ref>

[[Image:SeaStar.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Polar Sea'' alongside her sister ship {{USCGC|Polar Star|WAGB-10|3}} near [[McMurdo Station]], [[Antarctica]].]]

==Crew==
There is a crew of 24 [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]], 20 [[chief petty officer]]s and 102 [[Enlisted rank|enlisted]].<ref name="USCGC Polar Sea"/> The ship has four sizable lounges, a [[library]], [[gym]] (in an engineering space), and a small ship's store. It also has its own [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Post Office]], [[Satellite phone|satellite pay telephones]], [[Amateur radio|amateur radio equipment]], photo lab, and movie library.

==Missions==
''Polar Sea'' has a variety of missions while operating in polar regions. During [[Antarctic]] deployments, the primary missions include breaking a channel through the sea ice to resupply the [[McMurdo Station]] in the [[Ross Sea]]. Resupply ships use the channel to bring food, fuel, and other goods to make it through another winter.  In addition to these duties, ''Polar Sea'' also serves as a scientific research platform with five laboratories, additional space for seven portable laboratories on deck and accommodations for up to 35 scientists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcpolarsea/default.asp|title=USCGC Polar Sea|access-date=2010-09-20|publisher=USCGC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027092211/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcPolarSea/default.asp|archive-date=2010-10-27|url-status=live}}</ref> The J-shaped cranes and work areas near the stern and port side of ship give scientists the capability to do at-sea studies in the fields of [[geology]], [[vulcanology]], [[oceanography]], [[Sea ice|sea-ice physics]] and other disciplines.

==Aircraft carried==
''Polar Sea'' carried two [[HH-65 Dolphin]] [[helicopter]]s during major deployments. They support scientific parties, do ice [[reconnaissance]], [[cargo]] transfer, and [[search and rescue]] as required. The Aviation Detachment comes from the Polar Operations Division at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, [[Mobile, Alabama]].

==Notable operations==
[[File:Tanker Paul Buck, USCG Polar Sea, RV Nathaniel Palmer.jpg|thumb|''Polar Sea'', RV ''Nathaniel Palmer'', and tanker ''Paul Buck'', in Antarctica]]
On 11 February 1981, ''Polar Sea'' made history when she became the first ship ever to reach [[Point Barrow|Point Barrow, Alaska]] in the middle of winter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shuhy |first1=Joseph |title=USCGC POLAR SEA Drift Project '81 |url=http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic34-4-377.pdf |access-date=2019-12-31 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701005238/http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic34-4-377.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> She is also just one of only three ships{{clarify|reason=Which are the other two ships?|date=July 2013}} that has ever completely transited the Arctic Ocean and circumnavigated North America. On 22 August 1994, ''Polar Sea'' was one of the first two North American surface vessels to reach the [[North Pole]]; she sailed together with {{ship|CCGS|Louis S. St-Laurent}}.

== 1985 controversy ==
{{main|1985 Polar Sea controversy}}

In 1985, ''Polar Sea'' triggered a diplomatic event by navigating the [[Northwest Passage]] from [[Greenland]] to [[Alaska]] without authorization from the [[Canadian government]]. It was the United States' position that the Northwest Passage was an [[international strait]] open to shipping and it sought only to notify Canada rather than ask for permission. Publication of the plans enraged the Canadian public opinion as it was regarded as a breach and disregard of sovereignty and prompted the government to take preventive measures in defending Canada's arctic territories. The U.S. never recognized Canada's claim over the Northwest passage but nevertheless, the two countries reached an agreement two years later which stipulated that in the future, the U.S. would ask permission before navigating the disputed waters.

==Service status==
''Polar Sea'' has been out of service since 2010.<ref>{{Cite report |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |date=2024-04-22 |title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL34391.pdf |publisher=Congressional Research Service |page=3 |access-date=2024-06-24 |quote=A second Coast Guard heavy polar icebreaker, Polar Sea. Polar Sea, suffered an engine casualty in June 2010 and has been nonoperational since then.}}</ref> Andrew Revkin wrote at that time, "Five of its six mighty engines are stilled, some with worn pistons essentially welded to their sleeves."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/americas-heavy-icebreakers-are-both-broken-down/|title=America's Heavy Icebreakers Are Both Broken Down |last=Revkin |first=Andrew C. |date=2010-06-25 |website=The Opinion Pages: Dot Earth: New York Times Blog |access-date=2024-06-25}}</ref> Examination of her engines indicated excessive engine wear.<ref>{{Cite report |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |date=2015-03-16 |title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL34391.pdf |publisher=Congressional Research Service |page=5 |access-date=2024-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091722/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL34391.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=deviated |quote=A June 25, 2010, report stated that “inspections of the Polar Sea’s main diesel engines revealed excessive wear in 33 cylinder assemblies. The Coast Guard is investigating the root cause and hopes to have an answer by August.” (“USCG Cancels Polar Icebreaker’s Fall Deployment,” DefenseNews.com, June 25, 2010.)}}</ref> In 2011 the Coast Guard slated ''Polar Sea'' for demolition in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/059-11_alcoast.txt|title=USCG Message|access-date=2011-07-20|publisher=USCG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121234145/http://uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/059-11_alcoast.txt|archive-date=2011-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref> but the scrapping of the 35-year-old icebreaker was postponed by Congress for at least six months in June.<ref name="seattletimes15june" /> A congressional authorization required the Coast Guard to make a report to Congress on the feasibility of retrofitting ''Polar Sea''. The report was submitted in November 2013 and indicated that it is feasible to retrofit and reactivate ''Polar Sea''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2022396191_ricklarsenopedicebreakers05xml.html |title=Guest: U.S. Will lose race across the Arctic Sea without more icebreakers &#124; Opinion &#124; the Seattle Times |access-date=2014-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212132912/http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2022396191_ricklarsenopedicebreakers05xml.html |archive-date=2013-12-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2022|09|25|df=US}} the laid up ship was still in limbo alongside a pier at the Coast Guard Station on Elliott Bay, Seattle.  It has not been determined if a new class will be funded, commercial icebreaker leasing options will be explored, and/or if the ship should be scrapped.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.usni.org/2015/02/25/coast-guard-analysis-says-u-s-needs-3-heavy-and-3-medium-icebreakers-path-to-ships-unclear |title=Rebuild or scrap in 2015 |date=25 February 2015 |access-date=2015-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917190720/http://news.usni.org/2015/02/25/coast-guard-analysis-says-u-s-needs-3-heavy-and-3-medium-icebreakers-path-to-ships-unclear |archive-date=2015-09-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2017, it was stated that ''Polar Sea'' would not be refurbished due to high cost; instead, the icebreaker would be used as a "parts donor" for ''Polar Star''.<ref>[https://news.usni.org/2017/02/17/coast-guard-refurbishing-icebreaker-polar-sea-costly-focus-polar-star-new-build Coast Guard: Icebreaker Polar Sea Now a 'Parts Donor;' Refurbishment Deemed Too Expensive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219002903/https://news.usni.org/2017/02/17/coast-guard-refurbishing-icebreaker-polar-sea-costly-focus-polar-star-new-build |date=2017-02-19 }}. USNI News, 17 February 2017. {{retrieved|access-date=2017-02-18}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{DANFS}}
*{{USCG}}
*U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.http://www.uscg.mil/history/default.asp

== 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==
{{Commons category|USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11)}}
*[http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcpolarsea USCGC Polar Sea home page]
*[http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/icepolr.asp Polar Class Icebreaker vessel vital statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110102541/http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/icepolr.asp |date=2010-01-10 }}
*[http://assets.fiercemarkets.net/public/sites/govit/polarsea_businesscaseanalysis_nov2013.pdf Business case analysis for reactivation]

{{Polar-class icebreaker}}
{{US Coast Guard navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polar Sea (WAGB-11)}}
[[Category:Polar-class icebreakers]]
[[Category:1977 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company]]