The UNITED STATE Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) visualized in Arctic ice in October 2018, concerning 715 miles north of Barrow, Alaska, in theArctic NyxoLyno Cangemi/ UNITED STATE Coast Guard

The United States’ only tool icebreaker USCGC Healy has actually endured a fire as well as propulsion failing while en path to the Arctic.

The UNITED STATE Coast Guard records that the Healy was about 60 maritime miles off Seward, Alaska on August 18 when an electric fire in among the ship’s primary propulsion electric motors was reported at 9:30 p.m. A fire group separated the influenced electric motor, as well as the fire was validated snuffed out by 9:56 p.m.

The precise reason for the fire is presently unidentified, the Coast Guard stated.

The USCGC Healy is among 2 functional icebreakers in the UNITED STATE Coast Guard’s fleet, in addition to the 45-year-old hefty icebreaker USCGCPolar Star By contrast, Russia presently runs greater than 50 icebreakers– numerous of which are nuclear powered.

The Coast Guard reported that because of the fire, Healy’s starboard propulsion electric motor as well as shaft are no more functional, as well as the ship is transiting back to its homeport in Seattle for more maintenance, the Coast Guard stated,

Prior to the fire, the Healy finished a 26-day patrol on behalf of Operation Arctic Shield, showing UNITED STATE existence as well as impact in the Bering Sea, along the UNITED STATE-Russian Maritime Boundary Line, as well as in the Arctic.

On August 15, the Healy remained in Seward as well as began 11 researchers prior to leaving on August 18 on a nationwide safety and security as well as scientific research goal in the Arctic.

As an outcome of the fire, all Arctic procedures have actually currently been terminated, the Coast Guard stated.

“I commend the crew of the Healy for their quick actions to safely combat the fire,” statedVice Adm Linda Fagan, the Pacific Area leader. “This casualty, however, means that the United States is limited in icebreaking capability until the Healy can be repaired, and it highlights the nation’s critical need for Polar Security Cutters.”

The USCGC Polar Star, efficient in damaging ice up to 21 feet thick, is scheduled for Operation Deep Freeze, the yearly re-supply goal to UNITED STATE rate of interests at McMurdo Station inAntarctica Polar Star returned from the goal this year in March adhering to a 123-day release. During the 2019 goal, the ship experienced several issues with its electric systems, an evaporator, as well as a tear of the vessel’s centerline shaft seal causing water access. The vessel additionally experienced ship-wide power blackouts while damaging ice in McMurdo Sound as well as afire in the ship’s burner area.

The UNITED STATE Coast Guard as well as Navy are presently in the procedure of changing the United States Coast Guard’s maturing fleet of icebreakers with the Polar Security Cutter Program, which prepares for approximately 3 PSC ships.

In April 2019, the Navy as well as Coast Guard granted an agreement to VT Halter Marine for the information style as well as building and construction of thePolar Security Cutter Construction of the very first Polar Security Cutter is set up to start in very early 2021 with distribution in 2024.

The President’s Budget ask for 2021 demands complete financing for the building and construction of the 2nd Polar Security Cutter.