The Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker Polar Star and crew returned to their homeport in Seattle Aug. 24, after an annual deployment to Antarctica and service life extension shipyard work in California.
The 138-day voyage supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2024 was followed by the 399’ Polar Star pulling into Mare Island Dry Dock (MIDD) LLC. in Vallejo, Calif., to start the fourth phase of a five-year Service Life Extension Project (SLEP).
Commissioned in 1976, the 13,500-displacement cutter is the only active heavy icebreaker in the U.S. fleet, along with the 420’ medium icebreaker Healy commissioned in 1999. The Coast Guard is investing in a new fleet of polar security cutters (PSC) that will sustain capabilities in the polar regions; the SLEP is to keep the Polar Star in service until the PSCs are operational.
The work at Mare Island over 140 days at a cost of $16.8 million recapitalized the Polar Star’s key systems, including propulsion, communication, and machinery control systems, and significant maintenance to extend the cutter’s service life.
Phase four began on April 1, 2024, targeting three systems:
· Boiler support systems were recapitalized, including the electrical control station that operates them.
· The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was refurbished through the overhaul of ventilation trunks, fans and heaters that supply the cutter’s berthing areas.
· The flooding alarm system was redesigned, providing the ability to monitor machinery spaces for flooding from bow to stern.
Additional work not typically completed every dry dock included removing and installing the starboard propulsion shaft, servicing and inspecting both anchor windlasses, inspecting and repairing anchor chains and ground tackle, cleaning and inspecting all main propulsion motors and generators, installation of an isolation valve to prevent seawater intrusion into the sanitary system, and overhauling the fuel oil purifier.
“Completing a dry dock availability is a positive milestone, and despite challenges due to being away from home port, our crew’s energy and resilience inspires me every day,” said Capt. Jeff Rasnake, the Polar Star’s commanding officer. In a statement marking the crew’s homeport return after 285 days.
“The amount of time and effort put into Polar Star and its mission is truly remarkable. The dedication and teamwork displayed across all stakeholders exemplifies the Coast Guard’s flexibility and commitment to ensuring the continued success of Operation Deep Freeze as well as strengthened partnerships among nations invested in the Antarctic latitudes. I look forward to observing how this crew will continue to grow as a team and to discovering what we can accomplish together.”
During the shipyard service the Polar Star was the scene of a July 8 change of command when Rasnake relieved Capt. Keith Ropella as the cutter’s commanding officer.
Rasnake served as the deputy director for financial management procurement services modernization and previously served as the Polar Star’s executive officer. Ropella transferred to the office of cutter forces where he will oversee the management of the operational requirements for the cutter fleet and develop solutions for emerging challenges facing the afloat community.
