I am just passing along this news release from Coast Guard News. Charleston has become a major base for Coast Guard cutters with five NSCs to be based there. The first of the new icebreakers will go to Seattle, but there are clear indications that the Coast Guard also hopes to have icebreakers based on the Atlantic side. This visit might also serve as a preliminary look at Charleston as the future base for Coast Guard icebreakers. They may also be getting some minor maintenance done.
Media Availability: USA’s largest icebreaker to visit Charleston following Arctic deployment, interviews available
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is scheduled to participate in a media availability Friday during the ship’s port call in Charleston.
The Healy conducted an Arctic deployment to provide U.S. surface presence, high-latitude research in support of international cooperation, and engagements with Arctic partner nations. During the deployment, Healy conducted joint operations in the Barents Sea with the Norwegian Coast Guard, as well as joint operations with Danish and Icelandic sea services while operating in the North Atlantic. The cutter also hosted a science roundtable with researchers from the U.S., Norway, and other nations.
WHO: Capt. Michele Schallip, commanding officer of Healy
WHAT: Healy’s commanding officer will be available to speak with media members regarding the unit’s current deployment, scientific efforts, and international engagements.
WHERE: 2 Charlotte St., Charleston, SC 29403, Berth One
WHEN: Friday, 9 a.m., Nov. 3, 2023.
Editor’s Note: Media are asked to RSVP by 5 p.m., Thursday, with the Coast Guard’s Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 786-393-4138 or by emailing D7PADETNorth@gmail.com. Interested media are requested to arrive by 8:30 a.m., Friday, with a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to be processed through port security.
Homeported in Seattle, Washington, Healy is the Coast Guard’s only icebreaker designed specifically to support research and is the nation’s sole surface presence routinely operating in the Arctic Ocean. The platform is ideally specialized for scientific missions, providing access to the most remote reaches of the Arctic Ocean, areas barricaded by pack ice and unreachable by most research vessels. Since its commissioning in 1999, Healy has served as one of two active polar icebreakers and is the largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker in the Coast Guard. Healy accommodates a crew of 84 with a primary mission of scientific support. As a Coast Guard cutter, Healy is also a capable platform for supporting other missions in the polar regions, including logistics, search and rescue, ship escort, environmental protection, and enforcement of laws and treaties.
Media Kit resources:
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy webpage and Unit Facebook page
Links:
DVIDS B-roll for deployment coverage: DVIDS – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy departs Tromsø, Norway
News Room for press releases: USCG News
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