
Coast Guard Cutter Healy seen pressing back from its slip in Seattle as the staff left for an Arctic implementation in 2019. [U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier]
The UNITED STATE Coast Guard records that its polar icebreaker Healy (WAGB-20) experienced a fire in among its major propulsion electric motorsAug 18 while underway for procedures in theArctic No injuries were reported.
Considered a tool polar icebreaker, at 420 feet as well as displacing 16,000 loads, the diesel electrical Healy is in fact rather bigger than the Coast Guard’s 2 hefty icebreakers, the 399 feet Polar Star as well as (presently non-active)Polar Sea It was constructed at Avondale Shipyards as well as appointed in November 1999
The Healy was 60 maritime miles off of Seward, Alaska, en path to the Arctic when an electric fire was reported at 9:30 p.m. A fire group separated the influenced electric motor, as well as the fire was verified snuffed out by 9:56 p.m. The root cause of the fire is presently unidentified.
The propulsion electric motors are crucial devices that utilize the power created by the ship’s major diesel motor to rotate the shaft as well as prop. This layout safeguards the engines from variants in shaft rates integral to ice procedures.
Due to 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.
Prior to the fire, the Healy finished a 26-day patrol on behalf of Operation Arctic Shield, showing UNITED STATE visibility as well as impact in the Bering Sea, along the UNITED STATE-Russian Maritime Boundary Line, as well as in the Arctic.
On Aug 15, the Healy remained in Seward as well as began 11 researchers prior to leaving onAug 18 to make certain nationwide safety as well as perform scientific research procedures in theArctic As an outcome of the fire, all Arctic procedures have actually been terminated.
“I commend the crew of the Healy for their quick actions to safely combat the fire,” claimedVice 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.”
In April 2019, the Navy as well as Coast Guard granted an agreement to VT Halter Marine, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, for the information layout as well as building and construction of thePolar Security Cutter The preliminary honor consists of non-recurring design, information layout as well as building and construction of the very first Polar Security Cutter as well as has choices for the building and construction of 2 extra hulls. Construction of the very first Polar Security Cutter is arranged to start in very early 2021 with shipment in 2024. The 2021 President’s Budget demands complete financing for the building and construction of the 2nd Polar Security Cutter.