Coast Guard Icebreakers
The United States Coast Guard operates the nation's only polar icebreaking fleet, providing access to the Arctic and Antarctic regions for scientific research, resupply operations, and national security. The Coast Guard has been conducting icebreaking operations since 1867.
Current Icebreaker Fleet
USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)
| Class: | Polar-class Heavy Icebreaker |
| Length: | 399 feet (122 m) |
| Beam: | 83.5 feet (25.5 m) |
| Draft: | 33.5 feet (10.2 m) |
| Displacement: | 13,842 long tons |
| Propulsion: | CODOG - 75,000 SHP |
| Speed: | 18 knots |
| Icebreaking: | 21 feet (6 m) at 3 knots |
| Commissioned: | January 19, 1976 |
| Homeport: | Seattle, WA |
USCGC Polar Star is one of the most powerful non-nuclear surface ships in the world. She annually deploys to Antarctica to break a channel through the ice to McMurdo Station, enabling resupply of the U.S. Antarctic Program. The cutter underwent a Service Life Extension Project (SLEP) to extend operations while new icebreakers are built.
USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)
| Class: | Healy-class Medium Icebreaker |
| Length: | 420 feet (128 m) |
| Beam: | 82 feet (25 m) |
| Draft: | 29.5 feet (9 m) |
| Displacement: | 16,257 long tons |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-Electric - 30,000 SHP |
| Speed: | 17 knots |
| Icebreaking: | 4.5 feet (1.4 m) continuous |
| Commissioned: | November 10, 1999 |
| Homeport: | Seattle, WA |
USCGC Healy is the largest ship in the Coast Guard fleet. Named after Captain Michael A. Healy of the Revenue Cutter Service, she was designed primarily for Arctic research support. Healy carries 4,200 square feet of scientific laboratory space and can accommodate 50 scientists.
Historic Achievement
On September 5, 2015, USCGC Healy became the first unaccompanied U.S. surface vessel to reach the North Pole, traveling to 90°N latitude.
Polar Security Cutter Program
The Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program will provide new heavy icebreakers to recapitalize the nation's icebreaking capability:
Polar Security Cutter Specifications (Planned)
| Length: | 460 feet (140 m) |
| Beam: | 88 feet (27 m) |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-Electric |
| Icebreaking: | 6+ feet continuous |
| Number Planned: | 3 heavy icebreakers |
| Builder: | VT Halter Marine (Bollinger) |
The PSC program addresses the critical need to maintain U.S. presence and influence in polar regions. As Arctic ice diminishes due to climate change, competition for resources and shipping routes increases.
Domestic Icebreakers
In addition to polar icebreakers, the Coast Guard operates domestic icebreaking assets:
USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30)
| Class: | Mackinaw-class Great Lakes Icebreaker |
| Length: | 240 feet (73 m) |
| Beam: | 58 feet (17.7 m) |
| Draft: | 16 feet (4.9 m) |
| Displacement: | 3,500 tons |
| Commissioned: | June 10, 2006 |
| Homeport: | Cheboygan, MI |
USCGC Mackinaw is purpose-built for Great Lakes operations. She replaced the original USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83), which served from 1944 to 2006. The new Mackinaw also serves as a buoy tender during ice-free seasons.
Bay-class Icebreaking Tugs (WTGB-140)
Nine 140-foot icebreaking tugs operate on the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. waterways:
- USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) - Sault Ste. Marie, MI
- USCGC Bristol Bay (WTGB-102) - Detroit, MI
- USCGC Mobile Bay (WTGB-103) - Sturgeon Bay, WI
- USCGC Biscayne Bay (WTGB-104) - St. Ignace, MI
- USCGC Neah Bay (WTGB-105) - Cleveland, OH
- USCGC Morro Bay (WTGB-106) - Port Huron, MI
- USCGC Penobscot Bay (WTGB-107) - Bayonne, NJ
- USCGC Thunder Bay (WTGB-108) - Rockland, ME
- USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB-109) - Bayonne, NJ
Historic Icebreakers
- USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11): Sister ship to Polar Star, placed in commissioned, inactive status in 2010
- USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83): Original Great Lakes icebreaker, served 1944-2006, now a museum ship
- USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282): Wind-class icebreaker, served 1945-1989
- USCGC Westwind (WAGB-281): Wind-class, served 1944-1988
- USCGC Eastwind (WAGB-279): Wind-class, served 1944-1968