The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star arrived in Juneau today for a logistics stop.
According to a news release, as the crew winds down their Arctic deployment, they conducted scientific research. The Coast Guard says their goal is to protect America’s maritime sovereignty and security in the polar region.
The cutter Polar Star is recognized as the United State’s sole heavy icebreaker. It sailed to the Arctic region with scientists and researchers in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Washington, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to gather data in hopes of operating year-round in the Arctic.
Those aboard the Polar Star deployed buoys onto the ice where they will collect and transmit information about the ice flow to help fill in data gaps for higher latitude oceans. The crew also helped in water flow research in the Chukchi Sea. The data collected will aid in the understanding of the hydrology of the region. While in the Arctic, scientists and researchers worked with mechanical engineers aboard the Polar star to discover ways to more effectively operate in the Arctic.
In closing out its operational patrol, the cutter will be moored in Juneau through this weekend. Due to COVID-19, it won’t be open to the public for tours.