SEATTLE — The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea, homeported here, was awarded the Operational Readiness “E” Award June 5, 2008, for excellent performance during Tailored Annual Cutter Training (TACT) during March 3-14, 2008.
The Operational Readiness Award is given to the ship that excels during the rigorous six week training cycle. Polar Sea earned scores of 80-100 percent in the areas of navigation and seamanship, damage control, medical, engineering and communications systems.
The 399-foot cutter is capable of conducting a variety of missions and is designed to operate in both polar regions. During Antarctic deployments, Polar Sea clears a path for supply ships bound for the United States scientific research base in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Polar Sea can deploy with two Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopters to support science and logistics operations. Polar Sea is also a scientific research platform with five laboratories and accommodations for up to 35 scientists and technicians. Real-time satellite images processed aboard aid in ice navigation, science planning and weather forecasting.
Commissioned in 1978, Polar Sea is a conventionally-powered heavy ice breaker with a crew of 134.
