- Welcome Aboard
- History
- Ship's Characteristics
- Meet the CO
- Command Cadre
- Science Planning
- Photos and Updates
- Contact the Ship
- Contact Webmaster
Security Levels
Arctic West Fall 2009 Trip
September 13, 2009
Hello family and friends!
POLAR SEA is in her element once more, underway on another Arctic journey. After a three month maintenance period, POLAR SEA left the shipyard and returned to her homeport for the final push to be ready for Arctic West Fall 09. With little time and a huge worklist, it seemed an insurmountable hurdle to be underway on schedule. However, in true Guardian fashion, POLAR SEA’s crew came together and through hard work and innovation, made ready for the big day.
This marks the first time in two years that science is POLAR SEA’s primary deployment mission. The following personnel have joined us to accomplish this mission; LCDR Hawkins, LT Bronson, DC1 King, and FS2 Rainstar. POLAR SEA’s crew is also excited to have Professor Erin Sheridan from Vincennes University as a shipmate. She is instructing three college classes, giving the crew an opportunity to further their personal educational goals.
It is hard to believe that POLAR SEA has already been underway for a week and has made it through the Gulf of Alaska and into the Bering Sea! Just before entering Unimak Pass, we grazed the edge of a significant storm allowing first-time sailors to learn the meaning of ‘sea legs’ and ‘securing for sea’. POLAR SEA and crew were neither daunted by winds nor waves and steamed indefatigably forward, adjusting to the elements and conditions thrown across our trackline.
POLAR SEA’s crew was excited to catch glimpses of various marine wildlife this week. We saw dolphins, whales, seals, ospreys, and puffins as we traveled toward the Arctic. All are looking forward to sighting Polar Bears and the first signs of ice as we continue north.
This first week marked sea service achievements for 22 individuals and was made more significant as these milestones were met underway. At quarters on Thursday, 10 September, the following members received their Temporary Cuttermans Pin: SN Robinson-Rivera and SA Bliskavka. We also recognized 16 people for achieving their one year Sea Service Ribbon: ENS Boyle, ENS Holt, ENS McElroy, ENS Reger, ENS Verlinden, OS2 Kenkelen, MK3 Delesandri, SK3 Honan, MK3 Quintero-Beltran, SN Weaver, FN Brown, FN Armlovich, FN Robinson, FN Michels, FA Nix, and FA Bax. We saw ENS Perodeau and DC2 Miles receive recognition for their four years of Sea Service and ET3 Thornock and HSC Kuykendall receive the coveted Permanent Cutterman Pin, achieved after reaching five years of sea service. Lastly for the week, BM2 Sargent and BM3 Pearlman received their Good Conduct awards for three years of good conduct.
POLAR SEA’s crew has shown fortitude, enthusiasm, and dedication on the initial leg of our journey. It has been a successful first week; electronic and machinery issues were resolved, science equipment successfully tested, and crew members continue to meet challenges. As we engage in final preparations to receive the first set of scientists, spirits are high as we enter the realm of the Polar Bear.
Your Public Affairs Officer,
ENS Emily Holt
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)