USCGC HEALY: an icebreaking research vessel

USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20) the Coast Guard's new polar capable icebreaker, was designed as a high-latitude research platform for conducting a wide variety of research tasks and polar operations. HEALY, which has a length of 420 feet, beam of 82 feet, and displacement of 16400 tons, was delivered to the Coast Guard in November 1999. The ship includes the latest in polar research equipment and systems, integrated by a modular science data network. Key science systems and gear include a bottom mapping sonar system; an acoustic Doppler current profiler; a jumbo piston coring system; a continuous flow seawater sampling system; and a bow tower for clean air experiments. After conducting a series of warm water tests of the hull, machinery, and scientific equipment from January to March 2000, HEALY sailed to the eastern Arctic and conducted six weeks of icebreaking performance trials, followed by four weeks of testing scientific gear in Arctic ice conditions. Following these tests, HEALY transited to its homeport of Seattle. The vessel's first unrestricted science cruise will occur in the spring of 2001, after completion of maintenance and warranty repairs identified in the shakedown tests.