The only heavy icebreaker in the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet arrived in Dutch Harbor Tuesday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The 44-year-old Polar Star is in the middle of an Arctic deployment aimed at protecting maritime sovereignty in the polar region, and to conduct scientific research as part of a partnership with University of Washington and the Office of Naval Research.
It’s tasked with patrolling the Bering and the Chukchi Seas to project power and support national security objectives throughout Alaskan waters and into the Arctic, including along the Maritime Boundary line between the United States and Russia.
During the mission’s first leg, the Polar Star traversed an historic winter latitude, reaching 72° 11′ N on December 25.
While in Dutch Harbor, to protect the cutter’s crew and the local population, no one will be allowed on or off the Polar Star unless for pre-approved logistical purposes. This is the first time the Polar Star has docked in Dutch Harbor since 2013.
Upon Dutch Harbor’s departure, the Polar Star will head north and continue to conduct scientific research and patrol to detect illegal fishing by foreign vessels in U.S. waters.