The Polar Star, the only U.S. ship capable of bludgeoning through heavy ice

[breatheoften]

I used to do oceanographic research and for a time the group I was part of supported some science operations on the Healy — smaller coastguard icebreaker for use in the arctic that is also based in Seattle. Man I hated sailing on that ship compared to the smaller oceanographic vessels I was used to ... and only ever did short week long sea trials for testing on that ship ...

The polar star tho — that thing barely looked like it floated — mad respect to the people who keep that working and the amount of suffering that must involve ...

One of the things that was strange to me about the Healy was the crew rotation schedule — there was very little continuity of personnel with military design of all people must be on temporary assignments and therefore easily replaceable ... seems like they can’t possibly do that with a ship like the polar star where the deep ship specific knowledge _has_ to be on board ...?

[boojums]

Would you mind describing why there was so much suffering involved? For an ignorant non-sailor, it is not obvious why that would be the case.

[batsy71]

Lot of people ignore this, but NATO ally and a bigger Arctic stakeholder of the western world, Canada has a bigger and pretty capable Arctic Icebreaking fleet: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/icebreaking/home

While, most of us would want to see US get bigger toys, we should collaborate with allies on some of the Polar logistics.

[Lutzb]

I was visiting the Polar Star when it was in the Hobart Harbour in Tasmania in 2005 or 2006. It was really awesome talking to crew and touring the ship. The twin turbines inside left a lasting impression. We also got invited to the crew reception that evening by the Australian Antarctic Division. I still remember the mountain bike and snowboards on deck of the ship :). Good times.

[antupis]

Four days later, the Coast Guard announced that a Mississippi company would build a new heavy icebreaker by 2024 for $746million.

That is very expensive considering that our newest heavy ice breaker costs "only" 123 million Euros.

https://www.talouselama.fi/uutiset/uusi-jaanmurtaja-polaris-...

[ceejayoz]

The Polaris is half the tonnage, lacks helicopter ops, and isn't a warship like the Polar Security Cutters will be. They're vastly different vessels.

[exabrial]

I always thought it'd make a lot of sense for nuclear ice breakers to be a thing. You need a lot of power and endurance, and the added weight would be a bonus.

[rdhatt]

Russians thought so to, that's why they have 9 of them:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_icebreaker#Rus...

[pmorici]

Is it just me or does the use of the term "military industrial complex" seem pejorative in this context? It feels like the author is trying to inject an opinion in what should otherwise be objective fact based journalism.

[mikeash]

Funny how using a famous phrase coined by one of the most respected US presidents can be so controversial.

[everybodyknows]

It injects historical allusion. Dwight Eisenhower coined the term in his cautionary farewell address upon leaving office, as the Cold War was ratcheting upward.

[unethical_ban]

It is clearly making a point about the amount of money we spend in defense, while this critical special-use DoD vessel languishes.

[encoderer]

If the notion of a ship getting stuck in ice is interesting to you, read the book Endurance about Shackleton’s failed 1915 polar expedition.

This is off topic but it’s a very good book.

[DanBC]

Or Erebus by Palin.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Erebus-Story-Ship-Michael-Palin/dp/...

[piokoch]

In case someone missed that, this quote says a lot "Crew members scour EBay for discontinued replacement parts."