Base Seattle (It is an old photo)
Polar Star, Storis, and Healy. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) arrives at Pier 46 on Coast Guard Base Seattle, Oct. 26, 2025. The crew of the Healy transited over 20,000 miles, supporting Operation Arctic West Summer and Operation Frontier Sentinel, protecting U.S. sovereign rights and territory, and promoting national security in the Arctic. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lieutenant Christopher Butters)
Sept. 14, 2026
WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard awarded a $173.7 million contract to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company to advance a major modernization of Base Seattle, strengthening the shore infrastructure needed to homeport and sustain the Service’s future polar security cutters.
Awarded by the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center, the contract funds Phase 1B of the modernization effort. Work includes construction of a new pier at Slip 36B, structural enhancements, and utility and electrical upgrades.
The contract is funded through Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation funding.
“Modernizing Base Seattle is critical to ensuring our Coast Guard has the infrastructure required to support the next generation of cutters and the missions they will perform in the Arctic and across the Pacific,” said Adm. Thomas G. Allan Jr., Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. “This investment strengthens our ability to homeport and maintain polar security cutters, enhances readiness for our growing surface fleet, and ensures our crews have the facilities they need to meet the Nation’s evolving maritime security needs.”
Base Seattle is key to Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Northwest and supports cutter operations, logistics, maintenance and personnel assigned to regional and national missions.
The latest award builds on the Coast Guard’s initial Base Seattle modernization contract, announced in September 2025, and continues a multiyear effort to prepare the base for Arctic and Antarctic operations.
Phase 1B includes dredging Slip 36 and building two modernized major cutter berths capable of hosting polar security cutters. The initial modernization contract award, Phase 1A, is 26% complete. Phases 1A and 1B remain on schedule for completion in Fiscal Year 2029.
Phase 1C is in the planning stages. Together, the first three phases are scheduled for completion in 2030, positioning Base Seattle to support delivery of the first polar security cutter. The full modernization project will deliver four major cutter berths for the Coast Guard’s growing surface fleet.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
When I first see all the icebreakers in one place . . . my first thought is . . . is anyone on mission? The USCG supports Antarctica, NSF missions, and provides PRESENCE in the Arctic. The easiest time to provide PRESENCE is when there is less ice.
All new icebreakers will be command centers, and be the control nexus for most operations anywhere near it in the Arctic AOR. That requires capability, presence, and exercises to establish expertise.
The Arctic is turning into a more busy place every day. PRESENCE is important, and Nome, AK will most likely be a/the Northern most hub.