USCGC Polar Star ( WAGB - 10 ) USCGC " Polar Star " ( WAGB - 10 ) is a United States Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker . Commissioned in 1976 , the ship was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company of Seattle , Washington along with her sister ship , " Polar Sea " ( WAGB - 11 ) . Homeported in Seattle , " Polar Star " and " Polar Sea " operate under the control of Pacific Area and coordinate their operations through the Ice Operations Section of the United States Coast Guard . Design . " Polar Star " uses four different methods of electronic navigation to overcome the difficulties of high - latitude operations , and a computerized propulsion control system to effectively manage six diesel - powered propulsion generators , three diesel - powered ship ' s service generators , three propulsion gas turbines , and other equipment vital to the smooth operation of the ship . The extensive use of automation and low maintenance materials have greatly reduced staffing requirements . " Polar Star ' s " three shafts are turned by either a diesel - electric or gas turbine power plant . Each shaft is connected to a 16 - foot ( 4 . 9 m ) diameter , four - bladed , controllable - pitch propeller . The diesel - electric plant can produce 18 , 000 shaft horsepower ( 13 MW ) and the gas turbine plant a total of 75 , 000 shaft horsepower ( 56 MW ) . " Polar Star " has sufficient hull strength to absorb the high - powered ice breaking common to her operations . The shell plating and associated internal support structure are fabricated from steel that has especially good low - temperature strength . The portion of the hull designed to break ice is 1 - 3 / 4 inches ( 45 mm ) thick in the bow and stern sections , and 1 - 1 / 4 inches ( 32 mm ) thick amidships . The hull strength is produced almost entirely from the massive internal support structure . " Polar Star ' s " hull shape is designed to maximize icebreaking by efficiently combining the forces of the ship ' s forward motion , the downward pull of gravity on the bow , and the upward push of the inherent buoyancy of the stern . The curved bow allows " Polar Star " to ride up on the ice , using the ship ' s weight to break the ice . With such a sturdy hull and high power to back it up , the 13 , 000 - ton ( 13 , 200 metric ton ) " Polar Star " is able to break through ice up to 21 feet ( 6 m ) thick and steam continuously through 6 feet ( 1 . 8 m ) of ice at 3 knots ( 6 km / h ) . " Polar Star " has other unique engineering features designed to aid in icebreaking . At one point , an installed heeling system could rock the ship to prevent getting stuck in the ice . The system consisted of three pairs of connected tanks on opposite sides of the ship . Pumps transferred a tank ' s contents of 35 , 000 US gallons ( 133 m³ ) to an opposing tank in 50 seconds and generate 24 , 000 foot - tons ( 65 MN · m ) of torque on the ship . This system has since been removed due to maintenance issues . Duty on an icebreaker is long and strenuous , especially when it involves being away from homeport for up to eight months out of the year . Careful consideration has been given to meet the needs of " Polar Star ' s " crew of 15 officers and 126 enlisted . The ship has four sizable lounges , a library , a gymnasium , and a small ship ' s store . It also has its own U . S . Post Office , satellite pay telephones , amateur radio equipment , a computer lounge ( for Internet access , distance learning , et cetera ) , and movie library . Bright colors and modern decor differ sharply from traditional military shipboard drabness . " Polar Star " can accommodate two HH - 65 Dolphin helicopter s during major deployments . They support scientific parties , do ice reconnaissance , cargo transfer , and search and rescue as required . The Aviation Detachment used to come from the Polar Operations Division at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center , Mobile , Alabama , but POPDIV has since been disbanded due to an overhaul on the HH - 65 Dolphin airframe . Operations . " Polar Star " has a variety of missions while operating in polar regions . During Antarctic deployments , the primary missions include breaking a channel through the sea ice to resupply the McMurdo Research Station in the Ross Sea . Resupply ships use the channel to bring food , fuel , and other goods to make it through another winter . In addition , to these duties , " Polar Star " also serves as a scientific research platform with five laboratories and accommodations for up to 20 scientists . The " J " - shaped cranes and work areas near the stern and port side of ship give scientists the capability to do at - sea studies in the fields of geology , vulcanology , oceanography , sea - ice physics and other disciplines . Operations in the remote , hazardous and unforgiving polar regions make it necessary for the crew of " Polar Star " to be highly self - sufficient . The crew consists of personnel trained in navigation , engineering , welding , machinery repair , electronics , boat handling , firefighting , damage control , diving , medicine , and nearly every other kind of special skill that could possibly be needed . Reserve status , overhaul and reactivation . Under a 2006 law , since the vessels were designated primarily as research vessels , the National Science Foundation pays for and runs the United States ' ice breaking vessels , using Coast Guard crews . On June 30 , 2006 , the USCG placed the " Polar Star " in " Commission - Special " status in Seattle , WA . This caretaker status required a reduced crew of 34 to keep the ship ready for a possible return to the ice . In 2009 , the NSF announced that they would end funding for maintaining the Polar Star A 26 February 2008 report by the Congressional Research Service estimated a US $ 400 million cost for a 25 - year service life extension refit for the " Polar Star " , a US $ 56 million cost for an 8 to 10 - year service life extension refit or US $ 8 . 2 million cost for a single season service life extension refit . In March 2010 , United States Coast Guard Adm . Thad Allen announced that the Polar Star would receive a $ 62 million overhaul at Seattle ' s Todd Pacific shipyard . The United States Coast Guard planned for the overhaul to be complete by December 2012 . On 14 December 2012 , The United States Coast Guard announced the reactivation of the Polar Star . The overhaul of the Polar Star , completed by Vigor Industrial shipyard ( formerly Todd Pacific shipyard ) , cost US $ 57 million . The Polar Star will undergo testing in 2013 prior to returning to service .