The 150-member crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star fought a fire at approximately 9 p.m. PST Feb. 10 that broke out in the ship’s incinerator room about 650 miles north of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. After initial response efforts using four fire extinguishers failed, fire crews spent...
Icebreaker
Icebreaker crew faced shipboard fire, breakdowns on Antarctica mission
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...
World’s First LNG-Fueled Icebreaker Polaris Bunkered In 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...
Icebreaker Healy gets $7.3 million overhaul at Vigor
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
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...
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
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/
Australia’s New Antarctic Icebreaker Floated
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, has been floated at Damen Shipyards Galati.
https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/261137/australias-new-antarctic-icebreaker-floated/
Damen Floats Australian Icebreaker ‘Nuyina’
Dutch shipbuilding group Damen has announced the successful float-out of the Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) RSV Nuyina currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The float-out took place over the weekend as the water levels in the yard’s dry dock holding the...
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/