This tread has some interesting photos of modern icebreakers. Hopefully someone is thinking about this topic in the context of what our new construction icebreakers will look like.
The US does have a couple of ice capable research vessels that are referred to in the tread that I had not been aware of, the 94 meter (310 foot) icebreaker R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer, 
built in 1992,
and the 76 meter (251 foot) ice-strengthened (Ice class ABS A1) RV Laurence M. Goul, built in 1997. Both were built by Edison Chouest Offshore Inc., Galliano, Louisiana,
(Thanks, Steve, for the link)
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
I liked the photos. I have a question though. Why should we change the design of any new ships? Other than modernizing them, the basic design of the ships have worked very well. No need to mess with things that work right?
I’d love to know the answer to that question, Bryant. I’ve never understood why we don’t refresh successful designs. I’m sure there’s some reason behind it but I can’t think of anything.
I think we have a winner here. I think the US Coast Guard should look into the Norwegian Coast Guard’s NoCGV Svalbard and buy a version of that for the US Coast Guard
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Chuck, one thing I like about you is your optimism. You actually believe that the Coast Guard is going to receive funding for new icebreakers.
One things for sure, if we don’t ask, we won’t get any. And we can’t ask without a plan.
The POLAR STAR is layed up and the POLAR SEA is broke dick. ADM Papp is done pouring money down the drain, which means this program is dead as far as the CG is concerned.
Some pictures of a South African icebreaker/support ship here:
http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/navy/support_vessels_1.html
Here is an odd looking 4,985 ton vessel the Brits are planning to use as an antarctic patrol vessel to fill in for 6,100 ton HMS Endurance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Endurance_%28A171%29) that was nearly lost in 2008.
http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1122-new-antarctic-patrol-ship-announced.aspx