It is now beyond sad and is stupidly dangerous to use this ship any longer.
From gCaptain:
The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, with 75,000 horsepower and its
13,500-ton weight, is guided by its crew to break through Antarctic ice
en route to the
National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station, Jan. 15,
2017. The ship, which was designed more than 40 years ago, remains the
world’s most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by
Chief Petty Officer David Mosley)
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.Previously:
After initial response efforts using four fire extinguishers failed, fire crews spent almost two hours extinguishing the fire. Fire damage was contained inside the incinerator housing, while firefighting water used to cool exhaust pipe in the surrounding area damaged several electrical systems and insulation in the room.
Repairs are already being planned for the Polar Star’s upcoming maintenance period. The incinerator will need to be full functional before next year’s mission.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“It’s always a serious matter whenever a shipboard fire breaks out at sea, and it’s even more concerning when that ship is in one of the most remote places on Earth,” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area. “The crew of the Polar Star did an outstanding job – their expert response ensured the safety of everyone aboard.”
Commissioned in 1976, the 43-year old ship is operating beyond its expected 30-year service life. The Polar Star crew recently completed Operation Deep Freeze, an annual joint military service mission in support of the National Science Foundation, the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. Since 1955, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has assisted in providing air and maritime support throughout the Antarctic continent....MUCH MORE
January 24, 2019
The Only U.S. Heavy Icebreaker Suffers MULTIPLE Mechanical Problems On Voyage To Antarctica
Dec. 14, 2018
"US Coast Guard Turns Down Arctic Exercise Because 40-year-old Icebreaker Might Break Down And Would Require Russian Help"
