Bug posted an interesting article regarding icebreakers, then I find it closed for whatever reason. What’s up with that?
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5 posts were split to a new topic: Why was thread closed?
I don’t know who decides what is an old thread and what is acceptable. The original thread was 6 months old
Since the name of this thread is Icebreakers and only 2 hours old I copy and past it here, if that meet with the requirements:
PS> The USCG icebreaker Polar Star was commissioned in 1976.
PPS> The Aurora Australis just completed a trip to Antarctica without breaking down.
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I think a general topic for icebreakers is a good idea. Until now, icebreaker news and discussion have been scattered in Arctic News, Shipyard News etc.
What use would the USCG have for Aurora Australia which is more an ice-strengthened research and resupply vessel with limited icebreaking capability than an icebreaker?
If the USCG is looking to lease foreign vessels to bridge a capability gap, I would propose icebreakers like the 1993-built Fennica and its 1994-built sister ship Nordica.
My Navy career started in Icebreaker repairs in the 1960’s. The breakers arrived at Stockholm July for repairs after 9 months in Baltic ice and needed some attention. The breakers had horrible accommodation and I felt sorry for the crew aboard. But ice breaking had an advantage. Contraband! A ship stuck in the Baltic ice always offered some cases of vodka to the icebreaker crew to smooth things and break them free and everyone was happy.
Maybe they could use it for research and resupply?
PS>Like you, I thought that it was obvious that I did not mean to make this as a serious proposal but didn’t think it would be necessary to put a Smiley to emphasize it.
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Sorry, my combined joke-sarcasm-irony radar is still down for service.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone proposed the USCG to acquire Aurora Australis just because they are talking about lack of icebreakers all the time in the media and the Australian ship is sometimes referred to as an icebreaker. It’s not a bad ship, but I just don’t see any use for it under the US flag. However, for example India could use it for their Antarctic missions and stop chartering the old Project 10620 ship from Russia…
Agree, they already have the Nathaniel Palmer for that service.
Isn’t that a civilian vessel owned by ECO and chartered by NSF?:
I presume USCG don’t do much “research and resupply” services in waters within the capabilities of the Aurora Australis.(??)
In many ways the 2 ships are similar. Civilian ships under government charter. Not saying they are equal in capabilities but no that far off either.
The Nathaniel Palmer is owned by ECO just as the Aurora Australis is owned by P&O. The ice class designation is similar. Finnish 1A super is equivalent to ABS 2A (AA). Reading the Wiki articles for the 2 ships the Aurora Australis is billed as an icebreaker that is used for research purposes, and to support the Antarctic bases; whereas the Nathaniel Palmer is described as a ice-capable research ship. Installed propulsion is similar, 10,000kW versus 9485kW.
The US Coast Guard generally leaves research to other entities though they assist in resupply.
Icebreakers are getting busy in Russia:
https://en.portnews.ru/news/306841/#:~:text=25%2017%3A10-,Rosmorport’s%20icebreaker%20Magadan%20left%20Vladivostok%20for%20Magadan%20to%20provide%20icebreaker,2021%20icebreaker%20assistances%20will%20begin.
Not sure if it has changed, but being a research platform was a very very big part of deep freeze 80 on the CGC Glacier
USCGC Healy has a fairly extensive scientific outfit as well.
The Glacier had a long and illustrious career lasting 32 years with the first 11 years under the US navy before being transferred to the Coast Guard. That said, she was decommissioned 33 years ago and sent to Brownsville in 2012.
Not that they can’t or don’t but the USCG really isn’t in the research biz. I would venture to say that when their assets are used (for research) some other governmental entity is paying some of the freight budget wise.
An Icebreaking bow to fit on ice class tugs is now being tested in Finland:
https://www.marinelog.com/coastal/tugs-barges/removable-bow-turns-tugboat-into-icebreaker/#:~:text=The%20Finnish%20Transport%20Infrastructure%20Agency,bow%20powered%20by%20Danfoss%20Editron.
The Economy version has been developed in Norway:
If you don’t like “Norwegian County Music” just turn off ste sound.
The tug used to push the icebreaking bow is also somewhat special:
By the way, there’s a bot that tweets everything we write here and also posts it to LinkedIn:
Even on an online forum, I’m not comfortable opening my mouth in the presence of an automated repeater like that.
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Spooky!! Thanks for the warning.
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Report from the USCG Polar Star’s epic voyage to the Arctic in Dec. - Jan.:
Continuing with the USCG icebreakers: no nukes for the Coast Guard: