Eaglespeak has posted comments and the full text of Admiral Papp’s prepared remarks presented before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, hearing on: “Defending U.S. Economic Interests in the Changing Arctic:Is There a Strategy?” Wednesday Jul 27, 2011.
If you read the postings here regularly, probably there will be nothing surprising in the remarks, but it is a good summary. I notice again the Commandant referring to “ice-capable” vessels rather than simply icebreakers, which leads me to be to believe the Coast Guard may be considering a class of ice-strengthened vessels or small icebreakers rather than limiting consideration to full size polar breakers.
Perhaps the big news is that the “high latitude study” was presented to Congress. “You now have in hand our recently completed high latitude study.” The Coast Guard has gotten a lot of flak because of delays in presenting this, as well as other reports. I haven’t been able to find a copy of it yet, but it ought to be interesting.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
While we whip ourselves up over the brain dead question “Should we have a balanced budget?” our ability to import/export and hence compete in existing and opening markets is at threat and is not on anyones radar. Parity in the NFL or NBA is good, allowing a lead in world trade to fade is bad. Way past time to look up and lead down the road or it wont matter if we are almost in a double dip now, there may be no chance to expand job creation later. With one medium breaker and two out of commission heavies we are falling behind fast; exe…
“In 2009, Russian ice breakers escorted the first several ships through the passage. Last year – 2010 – for the first time in modern history the Northern Sea route was completely ice-free – and at least 8 vessels transited through the passage. This year, Russia is planning at least 15 escorts – including six convoys with oil tankers – as well as cargo vessels and bulk tankers.”
Here’s a good partial/full (take your pick) rant on why we need actual icebreakers.
Speaking from experience I can tell you that the Healy is not that good of an icebreaker, the saltwater wash on the bow to get rid of cushining snow never ran that often while we were icebreaking (once or twice inport) reason being that the forward seachest needed to be secured while icebreaking to prevent ice intake, and when running didn’t work as well as intended. A good example of how to do it right would be the Canadian icebreaker Siant Lawrence, they have a forced air system that puts air under the ice at the bow with very good results. As a reaserch vessel built for operating in the nothern part of the Bering it’s very good, ride’s like a cadilac, all because of that flat (___) bottom. Which brings me back to icebreaking the Healy’s way is to ram its way through the ice which is nice if the ice isn’t that thick (4.5 at 3knots continous, that is thin ice) actual ice breakers have a V hull they are built to ride up on the ice then the weight of the ship forces the ice apart, this does mean that they ride like crap in any weather (poler roler)
We could also buy a new polar roler for probably not that much more with the amount their throwing at the Star.
Well there’s my thoughts on why we need better icebreakers.
Price comparison aside, unfortunately it is more likely the money spent on the Star doesn’t cover a down payment on a new heavy breaker, I believe there is utility in looking at the ice strengthened patrol vessel for high latitude use. Having said that I don’t discount the fact that heavy breaker capabilities will be required for the foreseeable future either. Bottomline the only way to have that capability is to get the STAR running. The CG continues to look at the problems inherent in what is the most challenging operating environment we could face. Ongoing testing of current capabilities continue this summer leading to follow extrapolation as to the capabilities required in the future.
A new Icebreaker is very important, both for the Arctic region and Antarctic. NSF is looking for an icebreaker to lead the convoy team to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Canada is building a new, powerful 470 foot icebreaker in replacement of Saint Lawrence, and Russia has been using nuclear reactors for their record breaking icebreakers for years now. We’re falling behind in this important Coast Guard mission, and I think this hearing in congress was important. While we’re dumping money in NASA, more than 90% of the ocean has been unexplored. I thought all the ice was supposed to disappear, Al Gore?!
Quick question: is a STORIS-like vessel an option here as an “ice-capable” patrol vessel?
That is what I would call and ice-strengthened vessel.
I did a bit of a run-down on what other countries are doing here:
http://cgblog.org/2011/06/07/arctic-patrol-cutter-state-of-the-art-2/
What Chuck said.