Coast Guard Assets

Explore the aircraft, cutters and boats used by the Coast Guard to conduct various missions throughout the world.

Asset | April 24, 2019

399-foot Polar class

 

Characteristics
Length: 399 feet
Beam: 83.5 feet
Sustained Speed: 18 knots
Range: 16,000 nautical miles at 18 knots; 28,275 at 13 knots
Ice breaking 6 feet thick at 3 knots
Summary
The 399-foot Polar class icebreakers were designed for open-water ice breaking to serve in the Arctic and Antarctic, supporting science and research as well as providing resupply to remote stations. Their capabilities also enable them to perform search and rescue, ship escort, environmental protection and enforcement of laws and treaties in places most ships cannot reach.
Description

The 399-foot Polar class icebreakers were built in the 1970s and have reinforced hulls, special ice breaking bows and a system that allows rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their ice breaking. They are fully equipped for helicopter berthing and deck operations and can carry two H-60 Jayhawks or H-65 Dolphins.