united states coast guard

arctic strategy

IMplementation plan

December 2015

Washington, D.C.

2

Table of Contents

Signature Page

Table of Contents

1

2

Coast Guard Arctic Strategy 3

Implementation Plan 6

Implementation Initiatives

Initiative 1: Enhance Arctic Operations and Exercises 

 

 Initiative 2: Improve Maritime Domain Awareness 

Initiative 3: Ensure Arctic Surface and Air Capabilities with 

 Associated Infrastructure 

Initiative 4: Improve Arctic Communications Capabilities

Initiative 5: Implement International Maritime Organization 

 Polar Code 

Initiative 6: Promote Arctic Waterways Management 

Initiative 7: Support Arctic Council and U.S. Chairmanship

Initiative 8: Advance the Arctic Coast Guard Forum 

Initiative 9: Support a Center for Arctic Study and Policy 

Initiative 10: Establish an Arctic Policy Board 

Initiative 11: Create an Arctic Fusion Center 

Initiative 12: Create an Arctic Maritime Assistance Coordination

 Center 

Initiative 13: Strengthen Marine Environmental Response in the 

 Arctic

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14

16

18

20

22

23

25

27

28

29

30

31
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Coast Guard Arctic Strategy

The United States is an Arctic Nation with significant 

interests in the future of the region. The U.S. Coast Guard, 

as the maritime component of the U.S. Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS), has specific statutory 

responsibilities in U.S. Arctic waters. This strategy outlines 

the ends, ways, and means for achieving strategic objectives 

in the Arctic over the next 10 years. The Coast Guard is 

responsible for ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally 

responsible maritime activity in U.S. Arctic waters. Our 

efforts must be accomplished in close coordination with DHS 

components and other partners, particularly Department of 

Defense (DoD), Department of Interior (DOI), and National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and 

involve facilitating commerce, securing borders, and 

improving resilience to disasters.

The Coast Guard's current suite of cutters, boats, 

aircraft, and shore infrastructure must meet a number of nearterm mission demands. The Coast Guard employs mobile command and control 

platforms such as large cutters and ocean-going ice-strengthened buoy tenders, as well as 

seasonal aviation and communications capabilities through deployable assets and 

facilities. These mobile and seasonal assets and facilities have proven to be important 

enablers for front-line priorities in the region, including search and rescue operations, 

securing the maritime border, collecting critical intelligence, responding to potential 

disasters, and protecting the marine environment.

The Arctic environment is changing dramatically. Satellite observations over 

time show decreasing multi-year ice and increasing open water during the Arctic 

summer. The lowest sea ice extent on record occurred in September 2012. 

Consequently, coastal villagers have been experiencing environmental changes that have 

made their communities more prone to storm surges, diminishing permafrost, and coastal 

erosion. Although winter sea travel is still severely limited due to extensive ice coverage 

across the region, recent summer and early autumn sea ice extent record lows have made 

seasonal maritime navigation more feasible. Economic development, in the forms of 

resource extraction, adventure tourism, and trans-Arctic shipping drives much of the 

current maritime activity in the region.

The Arctic region contains an estimated 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered 

oil and 30 percent of undiscovered gas. More than 35 percent of Alaska's jobs are tied to

the energy sector, and the direction of onshore oil production in Alaska is uncertain. 

Decreasing sea ice and diminishing onshore oil production have created incentives for 

further exploration offshore. These activities bring risk, which can be mitigated through 
4

appropriate maritime governance coupled with consistent stakeholder coordination. 

Additionally, tourism is increasing in the Arctic. Due to undeveloped shore-based 

infrastructure, much of the increased tourism is expected to involve transportation via 

passenger vessel, further increasing activities in Arctic waters.

The Coast Guard Arctic Strategy outlines three strategic objectives in the Arctic 

for the U.S. Coast Guard over the next 10 years:

• Improving Awareness

• Modernizing Governance

• Broadening Partnerships

Improving Awareness: Coast Guard operations require persistent awareness of activities 

in the maritime domain. Maritime awareness in the Arctic is currently restricted due to 

limited surveillance, monitoring, and information system capabilities. Persistent 

awareness enables identification of threats, information-sharing with front-line partners, 

and improved risk management. Improving awareness requires close collaboration 

within DHS, as well as with the Departments of State, Defense, Interior, the National 

Science Foundation, NOAA, and other stakeholders to enhance integration, innovation, 

and fielding of emerging technologies. The Intelligence Community and non-federal 

partners are also vital stakeholders.

Modernizing Governance: The concept of governance involves institutions, structures of 

authority, and capabilities necessary to oversee maritime activities while safeguarding 

national interests. Limited awareness and oversight challenge maritime sovereignty, 

including the protection of natural resources and control of maritime borders. The Coast 

Guard will work within its authorities to foster collective efforts, both domestically and 

internationally, to improve Arctic governance. In so doing, the Coast Guard will review 

its own institutions and regimes of governance to prepare for future missions throughout 

the Arctic.

Broadening Partnerships: Success in the Arctic requires a collective effort across both 

the public and private sectors. Such a collective effort must be inclusive of domestic 

regulatory regimes; international collaborative forums such as the Arctic Council, 

International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organization, 

and Inuit Circumpolar Council; domestic and international partnerships; and local, state, 

and tribal engagements in Arctic communities focusing on training and volunteer service. 

Success in the Arctic also depends upon close intergovernmental cooperation to support 

national interests in the next ten years. Government partnerships with coordination 

among DHS, the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Interior, Transportation, State, 

U.S. Special Representative for the Arctic, and other Federal partners that supports the 

2015-2017 U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

Beyond these three strategic objectives, there are a number of additional factors 

that will position the Coast Guard for long-term success. These factors include building 

national awareness of the Arctic and its opportunities, strengthening maritime regimes, 
5

improving public-private relationships through a national concept of operations, seeking 

necessary authorities, and identifying future requirements and resources to shape trends 

favorably. The Coast Guard strategy outlines a number of priorities, ranging from 

capabilities and requirements to advances in science and technology that will facilitate 

our Nation’s success in the region. Specifically, the strategy advocates to leverage the 

entire DHS enterprise and component capabilities to secure our borders, prevent 

terrorism, adapt to changing environmental conditions, enable community resilience, and 

inform future policy.

Operating in the Arctic is not a new venture for the Coast Guard. However, 

adapting to changing conditions will require foresight, focus, and clear priorities. The 

strategy will ensure safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the 

Arctic by improving awareness, modernizing governance, and broadening partnerships to 

ensure long-term success.

The Russian tanker Renda transits through the Bering Sea with the Coast Guard Cutter Healy’s assistance 

in January 2012. The Renda is carrying 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products for delivery to Nome. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo. 
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Implementation Plan

The Coast Guard is pleased to present its implementation plan for the Coast 

Guard Arctic Strategy. Framed in a 10-year planning horizon, this plan describes 13

initiatives designed to meet the challenges of operating in the Arctic. Comparable to the 

dynamic nature of the Arctic environment, this implementation plan is designed to be 

scalable to reflect both the availability of appropriate fiscal and human resources and to 

respond to changes in demand signals for Coast Guard services in the region. 

Overview

The United States is an Arctic Nation with significant experience in the past and 

equities in the future of the region. Operating in the Arctic is not a new venture for the 

Coast Guard. We have had a presence in the region since 1867, when Alaska was 

purchased from Russia. Then, as now, the mission of the Coast Guard is to enforce U.S. 

laws and regulations, conduct search and rescue, assist scientific exploration, and foster 

navigation safety and environmental stewardship. 

 

The difference from 1867, however, is that the level of human activity is 

increasing in the region. In recognition of changes in the region, the Commandant of the 

Coast Guard promulgated the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy in May 2013. The strategy 

sets the Coast Guard’s vision for the region to “ensure safe, secure, and environmentally 

responsible maritime activity in the Arctic” and includes three strategic objectives: (1) 

Improving Awareness; (2) Modernizing Governance; and (3) Broadening Partnerships.

These objectives were included in the Coast Guard Strategy to support and implement 

National level objectives and policies.

USRC BEAR (AG29) was used in 

the U.S. Revenue Marine’s Alaskan 

Patrol. The BEAR took part in the 

“Overland Expedition” in 1897 to 

bring relief to Alaska whalers frozen 

in the ice off Point Barrow. U.S. 

Coast Guard photo.
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The Coast Guard Arctic Strategy is based on and complementary to the National

Strategy for the Arctic Region, and is informed by more than 150 years of our maritime 

experience in the Arctic, including work with indigenous populations in the region. The 

Coast Guard considered several assumptions and planning factors based on this 

experience in developing its Strategy and Implementation Plan:

1

• A 10-year planning horizon.

• Current demand signal for Coast Guard services in the Arctic will remain at current 

levels, or slightly increase.

• Operation Arctic Shield will continue using a “mobile and seasonal” approach to

activities and regional force deployment and lay down.

• The plan shall be scalable to demand for services and available resourcing.

• The Coast Guard will periodically re-evaluate this implementation plan.

• Climate change in the Arctic will continue, with loss of sea ice at a rate equal to or 

greater than Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predictions. 

• With reduction in sea ice cover, technological advancements, and greater global 

demand for strategic resources, maritime and terrestrial resource extraction and 

associated activities will likely increase in intensity. However, the rate of development 

is based on global markets, and there is significant uncertainty. 

• Interest in the Arctic will bring more adventurers and tourists to the Arctic Region.

National Strategy Implementation 

The National Strategy for the Arctic Region and its Implementation Plan are 

guided by National direction from the President of the United States, including the 

National Security Strategy, National Military and Maritime Strategies, National Strategy 

for the Arctic Region and its Implementation Plan, Arctic Region Policy NSPD66/HSPD-25, National Strategies for Homeland Security and Maritime Domain 

Awareness, National Ocean Policy, Executive Order 13580,

2

as well as the Quadrennial 

Defense, Diplomatic, and Homeland Security reviews. 

The National Strategy for the Arctic Region and its Implementation Plan are 

coordinated by the Arctic Executive Steering Committee (AESC). The AESC was 

established by an Executive Order on 21 January 2015 to help coordinate Arctic-related 

activities across the Federal Government and to enhance collaborations with state, local, 

 

1 As we execute our obligations in the National and Coast Guard strategies, the Coast Guard will evaluate 

the effect of each activity on human health and the environment as prescribed by the National 

Environmental Policy Act, as well as planning aspects of the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National 

Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and others. 

2 Ex. Order 13580, Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and 

Permitting in Alaska, which the President issued on July 12, 2011, established an interagency working 

group to coordinate domestic energy development in Alaska.
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and Alaska Native tribal governments, as well as similar Alaska Native organizations, 

academic and research institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors.3

The AESC is composed of representatives from the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy, Council on Environmental Quality, Domestic Policy Council, 

National Security Council, and senior officials from the Departments of State, Defense,

Justice, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, 

Transportation, Energy, and Homeland Security; the Office of the Director of National 

Intelligence; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration; the National Science Foundation; the Arctic Research Commission; the 

Office of Management and Budget; the Assistant to the President for Public Engagement 

and Intergovernmental Affairs; and other agencies or offices as appropriate. The U.S. 

Special Representative for the Arctic also participates in AESC proceedings.

EO 13689 recognizes the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS) represents the Department on the Arctic Executive Steering Committee 

(AESC). In general, the Deputy Secretary has asked the Coast Guard to represent the 

Department at AESC meetings.

As the preeminent maritime service in the region, the Coast Guard has lead 

agency responsibilities for executing seven objectives in the National Strategy for the 

Arctic Region and its Implementation Plan. Coast Guard assigned activities in the 

National Plan are:

• Enhance Arctic Domain Awareness 

• Sustain Federal Capability to Conduct Maritime Operations in Ice-Covered Waters 

• Improve Hazardous Material Spill Prevention, Containment, and Response 

• Promote Arctic Oil Pollution Preparedness, Prevention, and Response Internationally 

• Enhance Arctic Search and Rescue

• Expedite International Maritime Organization Polar Code Development and Adoption4

• Promote Arctic Waterways Management

Coast Guard Strategy Implementation 

To directly enable and address the activities assigned to the Coast Guard in the 

National Strategy, and to support the Coast Guard Strategy, 13 initiatives have been 

 

3 Ex. Order 13687, Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic, 21 January 2015.

4 The International Maritime Organization processes/timelines cannot be expedited. Task to Finalize and 

Adopt the Polar Code was completed May 2015. 
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identified that are either currently being executed or are planned to be undertaken.

5

 The 

13 initiatives with lead offices are:

• Enhance Arctic Operations and Exercises (Pacific Area Response Operations Planning 

Branch, PAC-53)

• Improve Maritime Domain Awareness (Office of Intelligence Plans & Policy, CG-25)

• Ensure Arctic Surface and Air Capabilities with Associated Support Infrastructure

(Assistant Commandant for Capability, CG-7)

• Improve Arctic Communications Capabilities (Office of C4 & Sensor Capabilities, CG761)

• Implement IMO Polar Code (Director of Inspections and Compliance, CG-5PC)

• Promote Arctic Waterways Management (Office of Navigation Systems, CG NAV)

• Support Arctic Council and U.S. Chairmanship (Director, Marine Transportation 

Systems, CG-5PW )

• Advance an Arctic Coast Guard Forum (International Affairs & Foreign Policy 

Directorate, CG-DCO-I)

• Support a Center for Arctic Study and Policy (Director, Marine Transportation 

Systems, CG-5PW)

• Establish an Arctic Policy Board (Director, Marine Transportation Systems, CG-5PW) 

• Create an Arctic Fusion Center (Global MOTR Coordination Center, DCO-G)

• Create an Arctic Maritime Assistance Coordination Center (Director of Incident 

Management & Preparedness Policy, CG-5RI)

• Strengthen Marine Environmental Response in the Arctic (Office of Environmental 

Response Policy, CG-MER)

Continuous evaluation and improvement is standard operating procedure for the 

U.S. Coast Guard. An integral part of our Implementation Plan will be to apply 

appropriate metrics to ensure that each of the 13 initiatives, and their associated action 

items and activities, are on schedule and properly tailored for the operational and 

resource environments faced by the Coast Guard and the Nation. Sponsors for these 

tasks will specify desired outcomes that define success, and develop supporting plans 

with enough detail to identify: (1) specific tasks/subtasks; (2) the sequence of tasks; and 

(3) resource requirements to enable task completions. The end goal is to identify the 

scope, timeline, and resources across the 10-year implementation period and highlight 

significant challenges and enablers.

This Implementation Plan is a living document, which the Coast Guard will 

evaluate and update annually to reflect any changes in national priorities, fiscal realities, 

and changes in human activity in the region. 

 

5

12 of these 13 initiatives were first released in the Report to Congress on Arctic Strategy Implementation

(May 2014).
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The following pages provide a narrative description of each initiative, including 

major milestones to achieve the initiatives, and its link to the National Strategy for the 

Arctic Region Implementation Plan and the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy.

6

 Each 

description includes an office or unit responsible for leading the task, recommended 

timeline, and performance measure. Task leaders will coordinate with appropriate offices 

in Coast Guard Headquarters for interagency engagement and alignment. 

 

6 Comprehensive Plans of Action and Milestones for each initiative are internal Coast Guard documents.
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Implementation Initiatives 
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Initiative 1: Enhance Arctic Operations and 

Exercises

Pacific Area Response Operations Planning Branch (PAC-53)

Operation Arctic Shield began as an outreach initiative, a mobile and seasonal 

operation with the objective of meeting Coast Guard statutory responsibilities in the 

Arctic region. Over the years, Operation Arctic Shield has built upon the experiences and 

lessons learned from the previous years’ activities. Upon the publication of the Coast 

Guard Arctic Strategy, Operation Arctic Shield has been directly aligned with the 

Strategy’s objectives of improving awareness, modernizing governance, and broadening 

partnerships, with effort focused under three areas: operations, capability assessment, and 

improving preparedness and response capabilities. 

Operation Arctic Shield tactical activity includes the deployment of aircraft, 

cutters, and personnel to the Arctic region and is scalable to match threats and risks, 

opportunities, and mission responsibilities, while overcoming lack of infrastructure, 

logistical, and communications challenges. Those concepts have centered on the use of 

offshore cutter-based command and control platforms, shore-based mobile command and 

control platforms, and seasonal air and communications capabilities through leased 

facilities and deployable assets.

The Coast Guard has a long history of working with Alaska State, local, and tribal 

partners in the Arctic. Outreach activities under Operation Arctic Shield are ongoing 

year-round and include regular engagements with tribal communities to ensure operations 

do not interfere with tribal rights, interests, or subsistence activities. Other outreach 

activities include marine safety education, as well as ice-rescue training in Arctic 

communities. Prevention activities and outreach spanned 29 villages, training over 2,800 

children in Kids Don't Float programs, and three mass rescue exercises. Moreover, 

ongoing cooperation with State, local, and tribal partners in exercises and other events 

continue to strengthen partnerships. 

While Operation Arctic Shield has been successful in past years, the challenges of 

mitigating increasing threats and risks with limited funding and infrastructure, as well as 

the logistical complexities due to vast distances remain. The following action items build 

on the foundation that has successfully been laid through the Coast Guard’s presence in 

the Arctic. Operational effectiveness in the Arctic can also be greatly enhanced with 

corresponding success in the other 12 initiatives. 

The Coast Guard has identified the following action items to enhance Arctic 

Operations and Exercises: 

1. Study ways to develop the appropriate capabilities and competencies, with sufficient 

capacity, to execute missions at an acceptable level of risk, and in a manner that is 

adaptive to changes in environmental conditions.
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2. Conduct testing of new technologies and capabilities during seasonal presence, 

including communications, domain awareness, and pollution response equipment and

 capabilities. 

3. Study feasibility of international training programs for Coast Guard personnel to 

increase icebreaking and ice operations expertise and proficiency. 

4. Evaluate annual demand signals to ensure appropriate allocation of surface and air

 platforms for theater operations.

5. Identify mechanisms for collaboration with Department Centers of Excellence and 

other academic institutions.

6. Deepen understanding of available search and rescue (SAR) resources in the Arctic 

 by conducting and participating in SAR exercises.

7. In coordination with the Alaska Regional Response Team agencies/members, 

complete the interagency Spill of National Significance Logistics Requirements 

Assessment.

8. Further enhance coordination with Canada through the continued implementation of 

the Canada-U.S. Joint Contingency Plan for oils spills in the Beaufort Sea.

9. Identify opportunities to collaborate with DoD partners as they conduct operations in 

the Arctic.

10. Explore additional opportunities to build valuable relationships with tribal entities, in 

accordance with Executive Order 13175 and within available resources.

Coast Guard operations in the Arctic will continue to be mobile and seasonal 

based on demand signals. The actions identified will improve the Coast Guard’s ability 

to execute our statutory missions in the Arctic. 

Linkage(s) to implementation for National Strategy for the Arctic Region, pp. 6, 13, 

24-25

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 24-26, 28-29, 31
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Initiative 2: Improve Maritime Domain 

Awareness

Coast Guard Office of Intelligence Plans & Policy (CG-25)

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) encompasses anything associated with the 

global maritime domain that could impact the safety, security, economy, or environment 

of the United States. MDA is not a mission or a program, but the product of a diverse set 

of capabilities which support all levels of decision-making across all Coast Guard, 

interagency, industry, and private partner missions and operations.

MDA requires gathering and synthesizing large amounts of information from 

disparate sources in a timely and comprehensive manner, and disseminating that 

information to operational commanders and other partners, enabling collaborative 

planning and coordinated operations. Effective MDA requires collaboration among all 

levels of government as well as the private sector and international stakeholders.

The Coast Guard’s Arctic MDA requirements are based in the principles of Coast 

Guard operations and are no different than what we require throughout the rest of our 

areas of responsibility:

• Information for safe vessel operations, including positions and intentions of all vessels

• Information on vessel crew and passengers, and cargo carried if applicable

• Pollution detection and tracking capability

• Weather and environmental observations, including ice reconnaissance

• Living Marine Resource awareness

• Awareness of human activity and infrastructure

• C4ISR and C4IT systems combined with highly-trained personnel capable of producing 

MDA products quickly

The National Strategy for the Arctic Region designates the Coast Guard as the 

lead agency for enhancing Arctic MDA. The challenges to awareness in the Arctic 

include the harsh operating environment, extreme distances between operating areas and 

support facilities, poor reliability of communications, limited sensing capabilities, lack of 

logistics infrastructure to support operations, and limited resources available to support 

these operational needs. 

Overcoming these challenges will require strong partnerships with interagency, 

tribal, private, and international stakeholders. The Coast Guard has identified the 

following action items to improve MDA in the Arctic. Most of these items will be 

conducted through strong partnerships with others: 

1. Periodically review and update Intelligence Preparation of the Maritime Domain 

 (IPMD) for the Arctic. The most recent revision was March 2015.
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2. Explore feasibility of using Unmanned Systems to improve observational ability in 

the Arctic.

3. Continue to integrate intelligence into all agency operational planning utilizing the 

classified Intelligence Annex to the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy.

4. Study data and collection information requirements in coordination with Office of the 

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology (OFCM), US Navy, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other stakeholders. 

5. Continue polar communications and weather satellite project study with DoD and 

Canada. Evaluate study results and explore implementation of recommendations.

6. Look for opportunities through international discussions to study and evaluate

advisability of special Arctic requirements for carriage of tracking systems.

7. Continue to partner with industry to purchase Automatic Information System (AIS) 

data, both terrestrial and satellite, with a view toward expanding AIS coverage in the 

Arctic.

8. Study feasibility of expanding Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) 

system carriage requirements for non-commercial class ships and small vessels 

operating in the Arctic.

9. Maintain direct interactions and channels of communication with local 

communities, and establish processes to bring local and traditional knowledge and 

observations to bear to address data gaps and to augment information gathered

through other means. 

10. Develop a report to Congress, “Arctic Maritime Domain Awareness: Five-Year 

Strategic Plan”.

Improving MDA is closely tied and dependent on action items identified in other 

initiatives, particularly communications. The actions are interdependent and require 

close coordination, but will build on each other to achieve effective Coast Guard presence 

and awareness of the Arctic domain. 

Linkage(s) to implementation for National Strategy for the Arctic Region, pp. 7-8

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 24, 26; National 

MDA Plan
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Initiative 3: Ensure Arctic Surface and Air 

Capabilities with Associated Support 

Infrastructure

Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7)

Coast Guard capabilities required in the Arctic to effectively execute Coast Guard 

missions include icebreakers, properly adapted and resourced aviation assets, on-water 

command and control assets, specialized equipment, and associated support 

infrastructure. 

Heavy icebreaking capability is critical to providing assured year-round access to 

the Arctic Ocean and other ice-covered areas on behalf of United States and executing the 

Coast Guard’s statutory responsibilities throughout the entire Arctic Region. The Coast 

Guard is responsible for operating and maintaining the national fleet of polar icebreakers. 

Heavy icebreakers provide a variety of unique capabilities including: icebreaking in 

multiyear, ridged polar ice; extensive endurance; command and control interoperability; 

ability to carry additional passengers and cargo; organic boats; and facilities to embark 

and support helicopters. Medium icebreakers provide similar capabilities, but can only 

operate in lesser ice conditions, precluding winter access to the Arctic Ocean. The 

flexibility and mobility of icebreakers assist the Coast Guard in performing Arctic 

missions. Currently, the USCGC POLAR STAR (heavy polar icebreaker) and the 

USCGC HEALY (medium polar icebreaker) are the Nation’s only operational polar 

icebreakers. The USCGC POLAR STAR is the only national asset capable of performing 

unique missions in both polar regions. Due to maintenance requirements on this aging 

asset and lack of redundancy in the heavy icebreaker fleet, assured access to the polar 

regions is not guaranteed at all times when such access is necessary. 

 Ensuring the Coast Guard’s effective presence in the Arctic requires more than 

just icebreaker capabilities. Other capabilities contributing to the impact on the Coast 

Guard’s ability to carry out its missions in the Arctic include aviation, surface assets, 

communications, logistics, and environmental response capabilities. While the Coast 

Guard is the lead for maritime capabilities in the Arctic, various Federal agencies have 

been assigned responsibilities for establishing other Arctic capabilities, including the 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of 

Commerce (DOC), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA), and Department of the Interior (DOI), for example. 

In order to set requirements and seek an adaptable mix of cutters, boats, aircraft, 

and shore infrastructure to enable effective seasonal operations, the Coast Guard has 

identified the following action items to improve capabilities in the Arctic. These actions 

require a collaborative and interagency approach: 
17

1. Consistent with September 1, 2015 Presidential announcement, accelerate Polar 

Icebreaker production activities from 2022 to 2020 and begin planning for additional 

icebreakers. 

2. Develop requirements documents for a new polar icebreaker acquisition. Conduct 

alternatives analysis for long-term polar icebreaking needs. 

3. Partner with the DoD to evaluate requirements and solutions for long term forward 

operating locations and permanent infrastructure. 

4. Explore the appropriate competencies to execute missions at an acceptable level of 

risk, including polar icebreaking operations, ice diving, and specialized deployable 

teams for high latitude operations. 

5. Investigate cold weather airframes that can operate below -40 C. 

Linkage(s) to implementation for National Strategy for the Arctic Region, pp. 8-9

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 24-28

USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) and USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20) are Polar-class icebreakers 

operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Coast Guard photos
18

Initiative 4: Improve Arctic Communications 

Capabilities

Coast Guard Office of C4 & Sensors Capabilities (CG-761)

Communications capability in the Arctic is vital to the success of Coast Guard 

operations in the region. Currently, a robust communications infrastructure in the Arctic 

does not exist. The communications requirements for the Arctic are no different than any 

other region where the Coast Guard operates; however, there is limited availability of

terrestrial communications infrastructure and satellite communications are not 

sufficiently matured in the Arctic region to meet all government and commercial needs. 

The DoD and Coast Guard are addressing this issue with international 

partnerships that share the same need and observe similar communication shortfalls in the 

region. The Alaska Secure Vessel Tracking System (ASVTS) partnership with Marine 

Exchange Alaska is one example. The lead agency and responsible party for improving 

communications infrastructure, however, remains the Department of Commerce under 

the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The Coast Guard has identified the following action items to improve 

communications capability in the Arctic:

1. Complete a study to identify communication gaps throughout the Arctic region.

2. Complete assessment of Coast Guard telecommunications capabilities in the Arctic 

region.

3. Coordinate with U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)/North American 

Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) NORTHCOM/NORAD on study of the use 

of Narrow Band in the Arctic.

4. Test Mobile User Objective Satellite (MUOS) capability.

5. Conduct studies, exercises and tests, to identify communications which are needed to

support military operations in the region.

6. Complete report on the feasibility of transporting vessel identification and 

positioning reports via Iridium using AIS technology. 

7. Continue to study possibility of transmitting AIS messages via Marine Exchange of

Alaska.

8. Study the establishment of an AIS data-sharing agreement with the Canadian Coast 

Guard.

9. Evaluate the possibility of Coast Guard participation in Polar Communications and

 Weather (PCW) with Canada.

10. Monitor the progress and plan the testing of Iridium-Next generation satellite 

deployment.

11. Study possible permanent installation of HF/VHF/UHF capability in Barrow and 

Kotzebue, Alaska.

12. Complete socialization, proof of concept testing, and draft paper for NCSR2 and 

adoption by IMO for Enhanced LRIT and Arctic Special Polygon.
19

This initiative encompasses actions that the Coast Guard can undertake in 

conjunction with interagency and stakeholder partners to enhance and influence 

communications capability. It is important to note that development of communications 

infrastructure in the Arctic requires a whole-of-government approach, as well as 

significant private investment and development. The Coast Guard is just one stakeholder 

in the greater infrastructure needs. 

Linkage(s) to implementation for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, pp.6-7

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, p. 36, National MDA 

Plan

Linkages: to the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan, p. 11
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Initiative 5: Implement International Maritime 

Organization Polar Code 

Coast Guard Director of Inspections and Compliance (CG-5PC)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed an International Code 

for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (“Polar Code”), to cover the full range of design, 

construction, equipment, operational, training, and environmental protection matters 

relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding the two poles. The Polar Code is 

not a new treaty or convention. Rather the code consists of amendments to two existing 

conventions, the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the 

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The 

amendments are in addition to current SOLAS and MARPOL regulations for ships 

operating in polar waters, which are generally defined as waters north of 60N and south 

of 60S. 

Ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic environments are exposed to a number 

of unique risks and challenges. Poor weather conditions and a relative lack of 

hydrographic data, communication systems, and other navigational aids pose challenges 

for mariners. Cold temperatures may reduce the effectiveness and functionality of 

numerous components of the ship, ranging from deck machinery to emergency 

equipment. When ice is present, it can impose additional loads on the hull, propulsion 

and steering systems, and other appendages. Moreover, the remoteness of the polar 

regions makes search and rescue, environmental response, and other operations difficult 

and costly.

Notwithstanding the above challenges, shipping in the polar regions has grown in 

volume and diversified in nature over recent years. In the northern hemisphere, this trend 

is linked to the recession of the Arctic ice cap and the resultant increase in seasonably 

navigable water. This trend, combined with the hazards of operating in the polar regions, 

is impetus for developing the amendments to the existing conventions. 

The Polar Code builds on previous non-mandatory guidelines developed by IMO 

including “Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters” (2009) and “Guidelines for 

Ships Operating in Arctic Ice-covered Waters” (2002). The Polar Code consists of two 

parts: safety-related provisions with associated SOLAS amendments and environmentrelated provisions associated MARPOL amendments. Consistent with other IMO 

instruments, the Polar Code will contain both mandatory and non-mandatory provisions. 

Both the safety and environmental provisions will enter into force in January 2017. 

The U.S. Coast Guard has the authority and inspection regimes in place to ensure 

compliance with the Polar Code by U.S. vessels operating globally and vessels operating 

in U.S. waters to which the provisions are applicable. The Coast Guard will now focus 

on the following action items to support implementation of the Polar Code through the 

use of a multi-office project management team to: 
21

 

1. Evaluate what, if any, new or amended regulations are necessary to implement the 

Polar Code provisions. 

2. Amend existing regulations to allow recognized classification societies to issue the 

new Polar Ship Certificate on behalf of the Coast Guard, as appropriate. 

3. Develop policy and guidance documents, as necessary. 

4. Continue to support work on relevant technical industry standards to supplement the 

Polar Code provisions. 

 

Linkage(s) to the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the 

Arctic Region, p. 31

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 25-26, 32
22

Initiative 6: Promote Arctic Waterways 

Management

Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems (CG-NAV)

This initiative includes actions the Coast Guard can explore, evaluate, and 

undertake to enhance waterways management in the Arctic region. The term “waterways 

management” is generally defined as: facilitation and management of vessel movement; 

optimization of waterway infrastructure; communication of waterway and environmental 

conditions; supporting understanding of ocean and waterway environments through 

marine science and observation; risk analysis for port access and routings; and aids to 

navigation system requirements.

In the Arctic, the Coast Guard is undertaking efforts to enhance waterways 

management and reduce risk to the maritime environment, commensurate with the level 

of activity in the region. This includes the Coast Guard facilitation of the recent 

formation of the Arctic Waterways Safety Committee (AWSC). Modeled after the 

successful Harbor Safety Committee concept, this non-governmental committee focuses 

on addressing safety, security, subsistence, and environmental issues facing the Arctic. 

The AWSC will work collaboratively to solve Arctic waterway related issues without the 

incorporation of new regulations. 

The Coast Guard began a Bering Strait Port Access Route Study (PARS) in 2010. 

The Bering Strait PARS was designed to help reduce the risk of maritime casualties and 

increase the efficiency of commercial vessel traffic movement, in anticipation of 

increasing vessel traffic in the region. The Coast Guard developed a potential vessel 

routing system for the area with input from numerous stakeholders. The proposed 

routing measures consist of a series of four-nautical-mile-wide, two-way transit routes, 

coupled with precautionary areas at junction points. 

Future actions to promote waterways management are partially dependent on rates 

of growth of the marine transportation system in the region. The Coast Guard has 

identified the following action items to promote waterways management in the Arctic:

1. Complete the Bering Strait Port Access Route Study. 

2. Use PARS results to consider future rulemaking action or appropriate international 

agreements, as warranted. 

3. Conduct a Waterways Analysis Management system assessment to support 

decisions on the management of maritime traffic and other navigational priorities, as 

 MTS growth demands.

4. Continue to factor cultural and subsistence activities into studies and rulemaking and 

other marine planning activities pertaining to vessel traffic and waterways 

management.

5. Continue to study possibility of transmitting AIS messages via the Marine 

Exchange of Alaska.

Linkage(s) to the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the 

Arctic Region, p. 31

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 25-26, 32
23

Initiative 7: Support Arctic Council and U.S. 

Chairmanship

Coast Guard Director, Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW)

The Arctic Council is an important international organization for gaining 

international consensus as well as demonstrating leadership on Arctic issues. This 

initiative includes actions the Coast Guard can do to support the Arctic Council. 

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting 

cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous 

communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on 

issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. Eight 

Arctic nations (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the 

United States) were listed as members of the Arctic Council when it was established in 

the Ottawa Declaration of 1996. Six Arctic indigenous groups have Permanent 

Participant status, and a number of other countries and organizations have been added as

official observers. 

The United States assumed the chairmanship of the Arctic Council in April 2015, 

which will then be transferred to Finland in 2017. The Coast Guard plays a significant 

role supporting our existing engagement in Council activities and the Coast Guard’s 

visible role in Federal governance in the U.S. Arctic. The Coast Guard is committed to 

working with its international and multilateral partner organizations and supports U.S. 

involvement in Arctic Council efforts through its representation in two standing Arctic 

Council working groups; Emergency Prevention, Preparedness & Response (EPPR) and 

Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME). The U.S. Coast Guard also serves 

on the Council’s Task Force on Arctic Marine Cooperation (TFMAC). 

The Coast Guard has identified the following action items to support the Arctic 

Council, the U.S. Chairmanship, and the U.S. Special Representative to the Arctic:

1. Continue to provide policy and programmatic support to the Department of State to 

support the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. 

2. Continue active engagement in the EPPR and PAME workgroups. Support EPPR’s 

 inclusion of SAR to its portfolio. 

3. Review Arctic Council committee products that are sent to CG for review and 

concurrence in preparation for upcoming Ministerial Meeting.

4. Prepare and publish Lessons Learned and After Action Reports in conjunction with 

Dept of State and NORTHCOM led whole-of-government Search and Rescue (SAR)

 Table Top Exercise to test elements of the 2011 Arctic SAR Agreement that was 

 conducted in October 2015.

5. Explore potential of hosting a functional or full-scale SAR exercise in 2016.
24

6. The Coast Guard, through the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response

 (EPPR) Work Group, will lead an exercise series to test the 2013 Agreement on 

 Cooperation of Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness Response in the Arctic.

Linkage(s) to implementation for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, pp.24-

25

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp.41-42
25

Initiative 8: Advance the Arctic Coast Guard 

Forum

Coast Guard International Affairs & Foreign Policy Directorate (CG-DCO-I)

The Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) was formally established on October 30, 

2015, with the signing of a Joint Statement and approval of Terms of Reference. 

Modeled after the successful North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, the ACGF will be a 

unique maritime governance forum where the U.S. Coast Guard and its peer agencies 

from the other seven Arctic nations strengthen relationships, identify lessons learned,

share best practices, coordinate exercises, and conduct combined operations. The Arctic 

Coast Guard Forum Summit Meeting in October built on an expert-level planning 

meeting in March 2014 in Canada and March 2015 in the United States, with an informal 

principal-level discussion in between to sustain the momentum for the initiative. With 

the formal establishment of the ACGF, the U.S. Coast Guard will collaborate with its 

partners to develop governance processes and an operational framework to promote safe, 

secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic. The ACGF is 

action-oriented and uniquely capable of translating policy into progress. 

The host of the ACGF will coincide with the Arctic Council chairmanship. The 

U.S. Coast Guard will host the ACGF until Finland takes chairmanship of the Arctic 

Council in 2017. The U.S. Coast Guard will concurrently chair the Secretariat Work 

Group, while Norway chairs the Combined Operations Work Group. The ACGF is 

independent of, but complementary to the Arctic Council. At the 2015 Summit Meeting, 

the Heads of Delegation approved terms of reference, a work plan, and a variety of 

administrative functions to establish a strong foundation of governance and cooperation. 

The work plan begins the information-sharing process with the cataloguing of maritime 

resources, authorities, activities, and exercises in the Arctic that will enable future risk 

assessments, strategic communications, exercises, and combined operations. 

The Joint Statement officially 

establishing the Arctic Coast Guard 

Forum was signed by eight member 

nations at the U.S. Coast Guard 

Academy on October 30, 2015. 
26

In order to advance the ACGF, the Coast Guard will conduct the following 

actions:

1. Coordinate and Chair ACGF Summits and Experts Meetings every six months 

until Summer 2017. 

2. Serve as Chair of the Secretariat Working Group and continue to develop 

governance documents. 

3. Support Norway in its role as Chair of the Combined Operations Working Group 

and prepare the ACGF to participate in Arctic maritime exercises and operations. 

4. Promote the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, as appropriate, internationally and within 

the U.S. interagency.

5. Assist Finland in its preparation for assuming Chair of the ACGF in 2017.

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 27-28, 31
27

U.S. Coast Guard 

Vice Commandant 

Vice Adm. Peter 

Neffenger speaks on 

the changing Arctic at 

the opening of the 

Center for Arctic 

Study and Policy. 

U.S. Coast Guard 

photo by Petty 

Officer 2nd Class 

Cory J. Mendenhall.

Initiative 9: Support a Center for Arctic Study 

and Policy

Coast Guard Director, Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW)

The Center for Arctic Study and Policy (CASP) is a source of recommendations 

for the challenges of operating in the Arctic. CASP generates concepts to address 

practical challenges and provides informed insights on core strategic and policy issues. 

The CASP connects operators, academics, indigenous experts, international partners, and 

industry experts. The concepts and research products developed by CASP can be 

leveraged to generate policy recommendations for enhancing national Arctic operations, 

playing a significant role in developing expertise and advising policy makers. CASP 

officially opened on September 19, 2014.

The CASP is expected to become a recognized leading academic research center 

and think tank that will bring together diverse maritime specialists to collaborate on 

effective solutions to address future Arctic maritime challenges to ensure a safe and 

secure Arctic environment. This center will collaborate with the Coast Guard Research 

and Development Center, the DHS Science & Technology Directorate’s network of 

Centers of Excellence, and other academic centers. 

The co-location of the center with the Coast Guard Academy will also have 

positive corollary effects on future leaders of the service. Cadets will benefit from the 

CASP presence at the Academy as visiting professors and researchers will increase the 

range of information the cadets are exposed to though guest lectures, mentoring and 

sponsorship of cadet research projects. Ultimately, CASP’s work will help the Coast 

Guard realize its strategic objectives in the Arctic and advance the service’s goals of 

ensuring safe, secure and environmentally responsible maritime activity. 

Linkage(s) to implementation for the National Strategy for the Arctic

Region, p. 16

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 29, 31
28

Initiative 10: Establish an Arctic Policy Board

Coast Guard Director, Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW)

The U.S. Coast Guard is working with the Department of Homeland Security to 

establish an Arctic Policy Board under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 

Act to enhance awareness and coordination among various stakeholders in the U.S. 

Arctic region. The Arctic Policy Board will provide advice and recommendations to the 

Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Commandant of the U.

S. Coast Guard on matters relating to the Arctic region.

Constantly changing conditions and increased maritime use of the Arctic for 

resource extraction, shipping, tourism, recreation, subsistence hunting and fishing 

requires coordination with all stakeholders to ensure the U.S. Coast Guard has sufficient 

awareness of the maritime domain and other critical information to make well informed, 

risk-based decisions.

Establishing the Arctic Policy Board under DHS will enable talent aggregation by 

clustering expertise and external advocacy in a “one-stop-shop” that will enable DHSCoast Guard to tap key resources and build intellectual capacity. The U.S. Coast Guard 

will seek Board members from industry, science, academia, tribal communities, 

environmental groups, the State of Alaska and other stakeholders.

Linkage(s) to implementation for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, p. 8

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy pp. 25, 27, 29, 31
29

Initiative 11: Create an Arctic Fusion Center

Coast Guard Global MOTR Coordination Center (CG-DCO-G)

The U.S. Coast Guard, along with partners and fellow agencies, plans to study 

and, if warranted, implement a Fusion Center to collect and disseminate critical 

information among federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders. The U.S. Coast Guard 

will evaluate the need for such a center and confer with domestic partners to determine 

their operational and response requirements and interest. The evaluation will include 

alternative approaches, such as establishment of a seasonal center and/or a virtual fusion 

center. 

If a need for an Arctic Fusion Center is agreed upon by domestic, state, local, and 

tribal stakeholders, it should be developed in parallel with an Arctic Maritime Assistance 

Coordination Center, as outlined in Initiative 12 of this plan. Working in close 

coordination with the Maritime Assistance Center, would expand the reach of the Fusion 

Center to incorporate international partner participation as well. 
30

Initiative 12: Create an Arctic Maritime 

Assistance Coordination Center

Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Response Policy (CG-5R)

There is no multi-national venue where Coast Guard or maritime forces can 

coordinate exercises, manage traffic, organize the response to maritime disasters, share 

information, or coordinate the presence of personnel and assets in the Arctic, as there are 

in other areas of the world. The Coast Guard plans to study and, if appropriate, 

implement an international center for Arctic mission coordination for search and rescue

(SAR) and other emergency response. The establishment of an international cooperative 

center that shares capabilities, expertise, and information may be the best way to increase 

both capacity and awareness to enable effective and timely responses. 

This study will include evaluation of current regimes of governance and consider 

models employed for other regions and functions as benchmarks for the future. It should 

also address the symbiotic relationship the Coordination Center would have with an 

Arctic Fusion Center (as described in Initiative 11). 

 
31

Initiative 13: Strengthen Marine Environmental 

Response in the Arctic

Coast Guard Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy (CG-MER)

The Arctic ecology is sensitive and vulnerable. Increasing human activity in 

Arctic waters will pose additional risk of pollution at sea. Moreover, marine 

environmental response operations in the remote polar regions remain both difficult and 

costly. The Coast Guard will establish best practices that protect and promote 

environmental resilience.

The Coast Guard, as a lead organization for oil and hazardous materials incident 

responses in our Nation’s waters, will lead preparedness and response efforts to mitigate

environmental threats under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 

Contingency Plan. Spill response in the Arctic presents major operational challenges due 

to the distances involved in mounting a response, limited infrastructure, and inherent 

difficulty of recovering oil from ice-covered waters. 

The United States assumed chairmanship of the Arctic Council from April 2015 

until 2017. The Coast Guard expects to play a significant role due to our existing 

engagement in Council activities and the Coast Guard’s visible role in U.S. Federal

governance in the U.S. Arctic. The Coast Guard will implement international agreements 

consistent with domestic activities to reduce the risk of marine oil pollution while 

increasing global capabilities for preparedness and response to oil pollutions incidents in 

the Arctic. 

In addition, the Coast Guard identified the following action items to strengthen 

marine environmental preparedness and response in the Arctic: 

1. Engage government partners and the private sector to address, and apply, statutory 

 and regulatory responsibilities for environmental preparedness and response.

2. Partner with Arctic nations to develop and implement prevention, preparedness and 

 response strategies to potential marine pollution incidents through research, training, 

 exercise, and international agreements.

3. Coordinate with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State 

(DoS) to work with international partners to further joint and bi-lateral contingency

plans. 

4. Lead interagency partners and initiate a programmatic review of Area Planning to 

enhance preparedness for oil spills in the Arctic.

5. Prepare to respond to pollution incidents, especially where responsible parties are

known or fail to adequately respond.

6. Continue to serve as the co-chair of the National Response Team (NRT), engage with

 the Alaska Regional Response Team (ARRT), and serve as the Federal On-Scene

 Coordinator in the coastal zone. Engage with the Area Committee to identify threats, 

 risks, and strategies necessary to mitigate the effect of oil pollution. 
32

7. Coordinate with the various Arctic communities of interest to plan for pollution 

threats, identify areas and resources at risk, and build response strategies for oil spills 

and hazardous substance releases, including Spills of National Significance (SONS).

8. Improve preparedness and response capabilities for Hazardous Material discharges.

9. Continue work to protect Arctic communities and ecosystems from potential spills

and other threats of pollution.

10. Review and implement lessons learned from previous tabletop and full-scale 

exercises; including simulated oil spill demonstrations in the Arctic. 

11. Continue the commitment of working with the United States’ international and 

multilateral partner organizations in support of U.S. involvement in Arctic Council

efforts; including, continued MER policy and programmatic support to the 

Department of State.

12. Lead exercise planning, through the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness & 

Response (EPPR) Working Group, to test the 2013 Agreement on Cooperation of

 Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness Response in the Arctic (MOSPA).

13. Initiate exercise logistical and budgetary planning with Finland (assumes Arctic 

Council chairmanship in 2017) to coincide with the ongoing exercise cycle.

14. Enhance coordination with Russia under the Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) of the 

United States of America and the Russian Federation on Combating Pollution in the 

Bering and Chukchi Seas. 

15. Continue participation in joint international training and related exercises pursuant to 

the MOSPA.

16. Continue to strengthen all bi-lateral and multi-lateral engagements to implement 

applicable Joint Contingency Plans (Canada, Russia) and Letters of Intent (Norway) 

to foster increased collaboration amongst the eight Arctic nations. Efforts should 

include enhancing preparedness for oil spills in the Arctic and participation in 

international oil spill response exercises. 

17. Increase pollution response preparedness and response through improvements of 

current and future D17/Arctic Alternate Planning Criteria proposals. 

Linkage(s) to other strategies: Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, pp. 27-28
33