Icebreaker crew faced shipboard fire, breakdowns on Antarctica mission

Smoke billows from a hatch on the icebreaker Polar Star as the crew fights a Feb. 10 fire on the ship. Coast Guard photo.

The crew of the Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star fought fire that broke out in the ship’s incinerator compartment Feb. 10, the latest trouble to face the crew on their long deployments to Antarctica.

After expending four fire extinguishers trying to stop the fire, the crew needed two hours to put out the blaze. Damage from the fire was contained inside the incinerator, but several electrical systems and insulation nearby were damaged by firefighting water as the crew cooled down the incinerator...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/icebreaker-crew-faced-shipboard-fire-breakdowns-on-antarctica-mission/

World’s First LNG-Fueled Icebreaker Polaris Bunkered In Finland

The world’s first LNG-fueled icebreaker Polaris bunkered in Pori and Tornio, Finland

The world’s first LNG-fueled icebreaker, Polaris, received liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel in January from the Pori LNG import terminal and in February from the Manga LNG terminal located in the Röyttä Harbor in Tornio, Finland. The commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year.

Image Credit: gasum.com

The gas and fuel market of Northern Finland will diversify as the commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year. Access to LNG is an important competitiveness...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/worlds-first-lng-fueled-icebreaker-polaris-bunkered-in-finland/

Icebreaker Healy gets $7.3 million overhaul at Vigor

The Coast Guard icebreaker Healy is undergoing a $7.3 million overhaul at Vigor Industrial's Seattle shipyard. Vigor photo.

The Coast Guard’s medium icebreaker Healy is undergoing a maintenance overhaul at Vigor Industrial, Seattle, after arriving at the Harbor Island shipyard in early January.

The $7.3 million contract includes sea valve renewal and overhaul, bow thruster modifications, ballast tank and underwater hull paint preservation, and various machinery overhauls.

The 420’x82’x29’ Healy will be at the yard, just across Seattle harbor from the icebreaker’s usual berth, through June 2019.

The ship is one of just...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/icebreaker-healy-gets-7-3-million-overhaul-at-vigor/

Canadian Coast Guard Adds To Its Icebreaker Fleet For First Time In 25 Years

CCGC_canadian coast guard_pierre

Our Canadian waterways play a crucial role in our culture, history, and economy. Keeping these waterways safe and open for business is a priority for the Government of Canada. This is why we are ensuring that the Canadian Coast Guard is properly equipped for the important work it carries out on a daily basis in keeping Canadians and our Canadian waters safe.

Representation Image – Credits: ccg-gcc.gc.ca

The Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, the Honourable Carla...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/canadian-coast-guard-adds-to-its-icebreaker-fleet-for-first-time-in-25-years/

Report to Congress on Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program

The following is the Oct. 26, 2018 Congressional Research Service report, Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program, previously known as the polar icebreaker (PIB) program, is a program to acquire three new heavy polar icebreakers, to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new medium polar icebreakers. The Coast Guard wants to begin construction of the...

https://news.usni.org/2018/10/30/report-congress-coast-guard-polar-security-cutter-program

Coast Guard inland cutters next in building program

At 72 years in service, the cutter Smilax is the oldest vessel of the Coast Guard inland fleet. Coast Guard photo.

With $25 million added by Congress in the 2018 budget, the Coast Guard can move ahead with designing its new class of waterway commerce cutters to replace an aged inland fleet, Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz told members of Congress Wednesday.

“I’ve got ships in that fleet that are 72 years old,” said Schultz, referring to the 100’ cutter Smilax, during his first appearance as commandant before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Billed as an update on Coast Guard...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-inland-cutters-next-in-building-program/

Maersk Container Ship Transits Arctic Ocean With Icebreaker Escort


Danish shipping giant Maersk is about to complete the first-ever transit of the Arctic Ocean by a container ship. The Venta Maersk traveled through ice-covered waters with the help of a nuclear icebreaker and is expected in Europe within a week.

The Venta Maersk, the first container ship to transit Russia’s Northern Sea Route, has concluded the most challenging part of its journey through the ice-covered East Siberian Sea. The vessel, operated by Danish shipping giant Maersk, encountered...

http://www.highnorthnews.com/maersk-container-ship-transits-arctic-ocean-with-icebreaker-escort/