View source for USCGC Healy

{{Short description|Icebreaker of the US Coast Guard}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) north of Alaska.jpg
|Ship caption= USCGC ''Healy'' (WAGB-20) north of Alaska
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|coast guard}}
|Ship name= ''Healy''
|Ship namesake=[[Michael A. Healy]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Avondale Shipyard]]
|Ship laid down=16 September 1996
|Ship launched=15 November 1997
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=10 November 1999
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|9083380}}
*{{MMSI Number|303902000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NEPP
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=In service
|Ship notes=
|Ship motto=''Promise and Deliver''
|Ship badge=*[[Image:Crest-Healy.jpg|130px]]
*[[Naval heraldry|Crest]] of the USCGC ''Healy''
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=Medium [[icebreaker]] (USCG)
|Ship displacement={{convert|16000|LT|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|420|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|82|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|29|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=*4 × [[Sulzer (manufacturer)|Sulzer]] 12ZAV40S
*{{cvt|34560|kW|lk=on}} (combined)
|Ship propulsion=*[[Diesel-electric transmission|Diesel-electric]] (AC/AC)
*Two shafts (2 × {{cvt|11.2|MW|lk=on}})
|Ship speed=*{{convert|17|kn}} (maximum)
*{{convert|14|kn}} (cruising)
*{{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|4.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} ice
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=*19 officers
*12 CPO
*54 enlisted
*51 scientists
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=*1999–2005:
*2 × [[Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin|HH-65B Dolphin]] [[helicopter]]s.
*2005–present:
*Helicopter support by a [[National Science Foundation]] contractor.
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=5 laboratories: Main Lab, Wet Lab, Bio-Chem Lab, Electronics Lab, Meteorological Lab
}}
|}

'''USCGC ''Healy'' (WAGB-20)''' is the United States' largest and most technologically advanced [[icebreaker]] as well as the [[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]]'s largest vessel.<ref name="USCGC HEALY">{{cite web |title = USCGC HEALY |url = http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcHealy |website = CGC HEALY |date = 24 May 2015 |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101232447/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/ |archive-date = 1 January 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> She is classified as a medium icebreaker by the Coast Guard.<ref name="USCGC HEALY"/> She is [[Home port|homeported]] in [[Seattle]], Washington, and was commissioned in 1999. On 6 September 2001 ''Healy'' visited the [[North Pole]] for the first time. The second visit occurred on 12 September 2005. On 5 September 2015, ''Healy'' became the first unaccompanied United States surface vessel to reach the [[North Pole]], and ''Healy's'' fourth Pole visit (and her second unaccompanied visit) happened on 30 September 2022.

==Construction==
''Healy'' was built by [[Avondale Shipyard|Avondale Industries]] in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana. The construction included a technology transfer agreement between Avondale Industries and the Finnish [[Aker Arctic|Kværner Masa-Yards Arctic Technology Centre]], where the latter provided expertise for hull form development and propulsion line engineering based on the Finnish diesel-electric icebreaker [[Otso (icebreaker)|''Otso'']].<ref>Strong Finnish involvement in U.S. icebreakers. Navigator Yearbook 1/2016, page 20.</ref>

''Healy'' is named in honor of [[United States Revenue Cutter Service]] Captain [[Michael A. Healy]]. Her [[keel]] was laid on 16 September 1996. ''Healy'' joined the icebreakers {{USCGC|Polar Star|WAGB-10|2}} and {{USCGC|Polar Sea|WAGB-11|2}} in their homeport of Seattle, on 10 November 1999. The ship departed New Orleans, on 26 January 2000, performing [[Sea trial|sea trials]] off of [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico, and in [[Baffin Bay]], between [[Canada]] and [[Greenland]]. She arrived in Seattle on 9 August 2000, after transiting the famed [[Northwest Passage]] and was placed "In Commission, Active" on 21 August 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title = CGC HEALY History |url = http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/history.asp |website = CGC HEALY |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160119225629/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/history.asp |archive-date = 19 January 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:USCGC HEALY aws15 small boat ops.jpg|thumb|left|''Healy''{{'}}s small boat 26321 conducts science operations gathering water samples in the Arctic Ocean during Arctic West Summer 2015.]]
''Healy'' is an optimally manned vessel, meaning she has the minimum number of personnel staffed in order to safely navigate.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Klingenberg |first1 = Jonathan |title = Counting Quals |url = http://alaska.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2013/09/counting-quals/ |website = Coast Guard Alaska |publisher = USCG |date = 20 September 2015 |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181300/http://alaska.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2013/09/counting-quals/ |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> Due to the vast array of missions conducted by ''Healy'', it is vital that crew members are fully qualified on a number of duties.<ref>{{cite web |title = CGC HEALY's ship characteristics |url = http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/ship.asp |website = CGC HEALY |date = 19 September 2015 |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210215117/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/ship.asp |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''Healy'' operates two [[A-frame|A-Frames]], one on the aft working deck and one on the starboard side. There are two articulated cranes on the aft working deck, with the starboard side rated to {{convert|15|ST|abbr=on}} and the port side rated to {{convert|5|ST|abbr=on}}. The aft working deck provides ample space to conduct science and research operations. ''Healy'' has a forecastle crane with a load capacity of {{convert|3|ST|abbr=on}}, and two 04 level cranes with load capacities of 15 tons each.<ref>{{cite web |title = Cranes |url = http://icefloe.net/healy-cranes-over-side |website = icefloe.net |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181638/http://icefloe.net/healy-cranes-over-side |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''Healy'' has a [[Dynamic positioning|Dynamic Positioning]] System (DPS) that uses her 2200-horsepower Omnithruster [[Manoeuvring thruster|Bow Thruster]] system, which aids in navigation and station keeping during science operations.<ref>{{cite web |title = Navigation Equipment |url = http://icefloe.net/navigation-equipment |website = icefloe.net |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210211941/http://icefloe.net/navigation-equipment |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> Her flight deck is capable of landing both of the Coast Guard's helicopter airframes, and attached is a hangar that can house 2 [[Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin|Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin]] helicopters. ''Healy'' can accommodate 8 [[Intermodal container|ISO]] vans on the ship, which are used as science labs and workstations.<ref>{{cite web |title = Vans |url = http://icefloe.net/vans |website = icefloe.net |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181808/http://icefloe.net/vans |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''Healy'' has three small boats on board. One is the {{convert|38|ft|abbr=on}} Arctic Survey Boat (ASB), which is on the starboard side. ''Healy'' has two {{convert|26|ft|abbr=on}} Cutter Boat Large (CBL) [[Rigid inflatable boat|Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats]] (RHIB), one on each side.<ref>{{cite web |title = Small Boat Support |url = http://icefloe.net/small-boat-support |website = icefloe.net |access-date = 7 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212152/http://icefloe.net/small-boat-support |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Capabilities==
[[File:USCGC HEALY aft view aws15.jpg|thumb|An aft view of ''Healy'' and her [[A-frame]] while deployed in the Arctic.]]
Designed to conduct a wide range of research activities, ''Healy'' provides more than {{convert|4200|sqft|m2|-1}} of scientific laboratory space, numerous electronic sensor systems, [[Oceanography|oceanographic]] [[Winch|winches]], and accommodations for up to 50 scientists. ''Healy'' is also designed to break {{convert|4.5|ft|abbr=on}} of ice continuously at {{convert|3|kn|lk=in}} or ice {{convert|10|ft|abbr=on}} thick when backing and ramming, and can operate in temperatures as low as {{convert|−50|F|C}}.

As a Coast Guard cutter, ''Healy'' is also a platform for supporting other potential missions in the polar regions, including: [[search and rescue]], ship escort, [[environmental protection]], and [[law enforcement]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = USCGC HEALY |url = https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Cutters/cgcHealy/ |access-date = 2024-02-22 |website = uscg.mil }}</ref>

==Notable operations==
6 September 2001: ''Healy'', on her three-phase maiden voyage, became only the second U.S. surface ship to reach the North Pole as a part of the Arctic East Science Mission, accompanied by the German research icebreaker {{ship|RV|Polarstern||2}}. ''Healy'' returned to her homeport, Seattle, on 20 December 2001 after 192 days at sea, which were punctuated by two port calls in ''[[Tromsø|Tromso]]'' Norway to exchange science teams. The second phase of the voyage, in Arctic ice, included testing of an [[autonomous underwater vehicle]] (UAV).<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Dan Everette |date=March 2002 |title=Healy returns from maiden voyage |url=http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/cb/March2002/ITN.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020416013427/http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/cb/March2002/ITN.html |archive-date=16 April 2002 |access-date=24 October 2022 |magazine=Coast Guard Magazine}}</ref>

23 January 2002: ''Healy'' received the Coast Guard Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation award for meritorious service from 12 June 2001 to 21 December 2001, during the Arctic East 2001 Science Mission. ''Healy'' mapped {{cvt|1100|nmi}} of the [[Gakkel Ridge]], previously the only unmapped [[Mid-ocean ridge|undersea ridge]] in the world. Twelve previously unknown volcanoes and numerous undersea hydrothermal vents were discovered. {{cvt|8|ST|spell=In}} of rock samples were taken from over 100 deep sea dredges.

7 May 2003: ''Healy'' received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation award for exceptionally meritorious service from January 2003 to April 2003, while conducting [[Operation Deep Freeze]] in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program. With less than three weeks' notice, ''Healy'' was deployed to Antarctica in support of the critical annual re-supply of [[McMurdo Station]]. ''Healy'' played an instrumental role in coordination with ''[[USCGC Polar Sea|Polar Sea]]'' in resupplying the ice station. ''Healy'' successfully escorted the freighter {{ship|MV|American Tern||2}} and the tanker {{ship||Richard G. Matthieson}}. ''Healy'' successfully escorted both ships in and out of the ice, and facilitated the delivery of resources to McMurdo Station.

12 September 2005: ''Healy'' reached the North Pole for a second time, accompanied by the Swedish icebreaker [[Oden (1988 icebreaker)]]. This was ''Healy''{{'s}} second visit to the North Pole, and the voyage was a part of the Arctic East-West Summer 2005 project which consisted of three cruises between 1 June and 28 November 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arctic West-East Summer 2005 Cruise Report |url=https://media.defense.gov/2022/Aug/18/2003059694/-1/-1/0/2005_HEALY-AWES-CRUISE_REPORT.PDF |access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>

16 July 2008: ''Healy'' received the Coast Guard Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation award for meritorious service from April 2007 to July 2008, while conducting science operations in support of national scientific, economic, and political interests. ''Healy'' conducted a multi-year project in order to evaluate the entire ecosystem of the [[Bering Sea]]. Data collected during these missions helped improve the understanding of food webs and biological communities in the Arctic. Through superior mission execution in adverse weather, ''Healy'' exceeded expectations significantly.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schendorf |first1=Tara |title=August 12, 2008 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws08/080812-update.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220859/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws08/080812-update.asp |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref>

20 January 2010: ''Healy'' received the Coast Guard [[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation]] award for meritorious service from 6 August to 16 September 2009, while conducting the Joint U.S.–Canada [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]] Extended Continental Shelf Mapping Expedition. In collaboration with {{CCGS|Louis S. St-Laurent}}, ''Healy'' pushed {{cvt|150|nmi}} further north than planned and avoided $2.4 million in future expedition mapping costs. ''Healy'' also acquired over {{cvt|1000|lb}} of valuable geological samples by conducting dredging operations at depths of up to {{cvt|3|mi|spell=in}}. The rare samples were essential in establishing the origin of the targeted extended continental shelf.

[[File:120110-G-IA163-068-Healy-escorts-Renda.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''Healy'' escorts {{ship|MT|Renda||2}} through ice in the [[Bering Sea]] in January 2012.]]

3 January 2012: ''Healy'' escorted the Russian-flagged freighter ''[[MT Renda|Renda]]'' through pack ice to deliver an emergency supply of fuel to [[Nome, Alaska|Nome]], Alaska. In November 2011, [[November 2011 Bering Sea cyclone| a strong winter storm]] struck western Alaska, which prevented a vital fuel delivery to Nome. Such a winter delivery had never been attempted before because the ice floes are {{convert|1|to|5|ft|m}} thick during the winter season.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2012 |title=Coast Guard Helping Icebreaker Reach Fuel-Stricken Alaska City |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/coast-guard-helping-icebreaker-reach-fuel-stricken-alaska-city/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415131215/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/08/coast-guard-helping-icebreaker-reach-fuel-stricken-alaska-city/ |archive-date=15 April 2012 |access-date=2012-12-20 |work=[[Fox News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> ''Healy'' delayed her return home from a six-month Arctic deployment in order to escort ''Renda'' through over {{cvt|300|nmi}} of extremely difficult ice conditions and broke out the beset ship time after time. After many days of great exertion, ''Renda'' transferred the fuel to Nome over the course of three days. On 20 January, ''Healy'' began the break out for herself and ''Renda''. They emerged from the ice on 29 January 2012, after successful completion of the mission. The resupply was vital to the city, and was the first-ever winter fuel delivery from the water in Western Alaska.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weisburger |first1=Alison |title=Lessons From the Russian Fuel Tanker Resupply of Nome, Alaska |url=http://www.thearcticinstitute.org/2012/01/63012-lessons-from-russian-fuel-tanker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212124/http://www.thearcticinstitute.org/2012/01/63012-lessons-from-russian-fuel-tanker.html |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015 |website=The Arctic Institute |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle based ice breaker crew presented Coast Guard Unit Commendation award |url=http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1382727/Photo-Release-Seattle-based-ice-breaker-crew-presented-Coast-Guard-Unit-Commendation-award- |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160201221442/http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1382727/Photo-Release-Seattle-based-ice-breaker-crew-presented-Coast-Guard-Unit-Commendation-award- |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom}}</ref> Over the course of Arctic West Summer 2012 (AWS12), ''Healy'' travelled over {{cvt|18000|nmi}} and conducted 687 science casts. ''Healy'' also added 25% more data to the bathymetric mapping project of the extended continental shelf through multibeam sonar bottom-mapping.<ref>{{cite web |title=AWS12 Cruise Report |url=http://icefloe.net/files/AWS12_Cruise_Report_signed_final.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001170951/http://icefloe.net/files/AWS12_Cruise_Report_signed_final.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=icefloe.net}}</ref> This data was collected in support of the delineation of the American and Canadian continental shelves.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sheridan |first1=Erin |title=November 8, 2012 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws12/121108.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221190900/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws12/121108.asp |archive-date=21 February 2016 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref> On April 10th, ''Healy'' was awarded the [[Coast Guard Unit Commendation]] award for exceptionally meritorious service from 3 January to 5 February 2012.

29 October 2015: ''Healy'' received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation award for exceptionally meritorious service from 24 June to 29 October 2015, during their Arctic West Summer 2015 deployment.<ref name="dvidshub.net">{{cite web |last1 = Norcross |first1 = Amanda |title = CGC Healy crew receives Unit Commendation award |url = https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2256583/cgc-healy-crew-receives-unit-commendation-award |website = DVIDS |access-date = 8 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181845/https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2256583/cgc-healy-crew-receives-unit-commendation-award |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''Healy'' traveled over {{cvt|16000|nmi}}, took over 25,000 water and ice samples from 72 science stations, and became the first unaccompanied U.S. surface vessel to reach the [[North Pole]]. She also engaged with the crew of the German icebreaker {{ship|RV|Polarstern||2}} while at the North Pole, in support of the international scientific mission [[Geotraces]]. Finally, ''Healy'' became the first vessel to broadcast a live feed from ice-bound Arctic waters, streaming video of a search and rescue exercise to shore-based coordinators.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1 = Smith |first1 = Laurin |title = October 29, 2015 |url = http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws15/151029.asp |website = CGC HEALY |access-date = 8 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210223116/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws15/151029.asp |archive-date = 10 December 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Recent operations==
[[File:USCGC HEALY profile aws15.jpg|thumb|left|''Healy'' underway in the Arctic Ocean.]]
2009: A marine biological mission aboard ''Healy'' studied the ecosystem of the [[Bering Sea]], specifically the sea ice and its future affects on sea life population. The study included a number of biological focuses which recorded seabird and micro zooplankton populations, as well as assessing phytoplankton, sea ice algae, nitrogen, and sediment. Additionally Oceanographer [[Evelyn Lessard]] co-led a team to study krill populations to assess how climate change will affect the fisheries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Polar Discovery :: Expeditions to the Polar Regions :: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |url=http://polardiscovery.whoi.edu/index.html |access-date=2022-02-05 |website=polardiscovery.whoi.edu}}</ref>

2011: During Arctic West Summer 2011 (AWS11), ''Healy'' collaborated with researchers from [[NASA]] to study the refractive properties of sunlight in the Arctic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Departing Seattle AWS11 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws11/docs/DepartingSeattleAWSW11.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214348/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws11/docs/DepartingSeattleAWSW11.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref> ''Healy'' spent the summer mapping the Extended Continental Shelf in collaboration with CCGS ''Louis S. St-Laurent''. A third mission of this patrol studied organic carbon and its levels in the Arctic water column. This data was used to explain bacteria distribution in the water column as well as carbon dioxide and biomass cycles.<ref>{{cite web |title=November 28, 2011 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws11/111128.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210215545/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws11/111128.asp |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref>

2013: Arctic West Summer 2013 (AWS13) consisted of four different missions for ''Healy'', over which more than {{cvt|19000|nmi}} were covered. The first mission utilized ''Healy''{{'}}s unique over-the-side science capabilities in order to collect organisms and create an ecological picture of the [[Hanna Shoal]] region. The second mission yielded sediment samples from the [[Mackenzie River]] Basin through the use of coring devices. For the third mission the Coast Guard Research Development Center, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, deployed numerous equipment for testing and development. The fourth and final mission deployed subsurface moorings and conducted numerous CTD tests to study the Alaskan Boundary Current.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Final Cruise Report |url=http://icefloe.net/files/2013_Final_Cruise_Report-NO_FOUO.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001102316/http://icefloe.net/files/2013_Final_Cruise_Report-NO_FOUO.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=icefloe.net}}</ref> A group of researchers from the [[Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory]] tested their Submarine Team Behaviors Tool with ''Healy''{{'}}s crew in September 2013. They were part of the 50 person science team from the USCG Research and Development Center<ref>{{cite web |title=USCG: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation |url=http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rdc/rdc.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226084439/http://www.uscg.mil/Acquisition/rdc/rdc.asp |archive-date=2015-02-26 |access-date=2015-03-08 |publisher=uscg.mil}}</ref> that evaluated technology for the recovery of "simulated oil trapped in or under ice at the polar ice edge".<ref name="Pinto2013">{{cite news |author=Pinto, Maria D |date=2013-10-24 |title=NSMRL: At the top of the world |url=http://www.dolphin-news.com/articles/2013/10/24/news/doc5267efbd85a36498269429.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131025023426/http://www.dolphin-news.com/articles/2013/10/24/news/doc5267efbd85a36498269429.txt |archive-date=2013-10-25 |access-date=2013-10-24 |publisher=The Dolphin}}</ref>

2014: A main area of focus during Arctic West Summer 2014 (AWS14) was the study of phytoplankton blooms along the Chukchi Sea.<ref>{{cite web |title=HLY1401 Cruise Report |url=http://icefloe.net/docs/hly1401_cruise_report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210211833/http://icefloe.net/docs/hly1401_cruise_report.pdf |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=icefloe.net}}</ref> ''Healy'' also worked in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center to test [[Aerostat]] balloons, UAV, [[Autonomous underwater vehicle|Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV)]], [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|Remotely Operated Vehicles]] (ROV), and oil tracking buoys.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mahoney |first1=Carolyn |title=August 26, 2014 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws14/140826.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212521/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws14/140826.asp |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref>[[File:USCGC Healy.jpg|thumb|''Healy'' and the Geotraces science team have their portrait taken at the [[North Pole]] Sept. 7, 2015. ''Healy'' reached the pole on 5 September, becoming the first U.S. surface vessel to do so unaccompanied.]]
2015: On 5 September, ''Healy'' became the first unaccompanied United States surface vessel to reach the North Pole.<ref name="dvidshub.net" /> ''Healy'' travelled over 16,000 nautical miles during Arctic West Summer 2015 (AWS15). During this expedition, more than 25,000 water and ice samples from 72 science stations were collected through [[CTD (instrument)|Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD)]] casts and on-ice science stations.<ref name="auto" /> ''Healy'' worked with both the [[United States Coast Guard Research & Development Center]] and the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] to test and develop [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's)]], and became the first vessel to broadcast a live feed from Arctic waters. ''Healy'' also conducted a professional international engagement with the German Icebreaker [[RV Polarstern|Polarstern]] at the North Pole.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Laurin |title=September 9, 2015 |url=http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws15/150909.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220856/http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/aws15/150909.asp |archive-date=10 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=CGC HEALY}}</ref> It was a historic Arctic deployment that displayed the Coast Guard's unique polar capabilities to the public and the world. Between May and October 2015, ''Healy'' also tested the [[Mobile User Objective System]] (MUOS) high frequency satellite communication system throughout her Arctic Summer West 2015 mission. Successful tests were completed throughout the expedition during the transit to the North Pole.[[File:USCGC HEALY night icereaking aws15.jpg|thumb|left|''Healy'' amid the ice at night in the Arctic Ocean.]]
2016: On 15 October 2016, ''Healy'' returned to her home port in Seattle, after a 127-day summer deployment in the Arctic Ocean. The crew of ''Healy'', and her accompanying scientists, participated in three scientific studies. Highlights of this deployment include the discovery of new species of [[jellyfish]] in the [[Chukchi Sea]], observations of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea, and data collection on climate change.<ref>{{cite web |last=Haviland |first=Dave |date=17 October 2016 |title=Coast Guard Cutter Healy Returns to Homeport, After 127-Day Deployment in Arctic Ocean - Newstalk KBKW |url=http://kbkw.com/coast-guard-cutter-healy-returns-homeport-127-day-deployment-arctic-ocean/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020072845/http://kbkw.com/coast-guard-cutter-healy-returns-homeport-127-day-deployment-arctic-ocean/ |archive-date=20 October 2016 |access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref>

2022: On 30 September 2022, ''Healy'' and crew reached the North Pole for her 4th time and her 2nd time unaccompanied.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=17 October 2022 |title=USCGC HEALY REACHES NORTH POLE |url=https://www.unols.org/news/ships-news/uscgc-healy-reaches-north-pole |access-date=24 October 2022 |website=University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System}}</ref>  The crew assisted a team of [[National Science Foundation|NSF]]-funded scientists as part of the international [https://synopticarcticsurvey.w.uib.no/ Synoptic Arctic Survey Program (SAS)].<ref name=":0" /> The 2022 voyage was facilitated by "unexpectedly" thin ice, multiple [[Lead (sea ice)|leads]] in the sea ice, and favorable [[South wind|South winds.]]<ref name=":0" />

[[File:USCGC HEALY CTD Cast AWS15.jpg|thumb|A CTD cast deployed from ''Healy'' in the Arctic during AWS15.]]

2023: In August 2023, ''Healy'' was undertaking scientific research for the Nansen and Amundsen Basin Observational System (NABOS), including [[CTD (instrument)|CTD profiles]], in the [[East Siberian Sea]]. The ship sailed towards the [[Siberian Shelf|Siberian shelf]] with an objective of better understanding the physics of the [[Nansen Basin|Nansen]] and [[Amundsen Basin|Amundsen basins]] and in doing so, encroached on Russia's [[Northern Sea Route]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Research Vessel Intercepts U.S. Icebreaker in the Arctic |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/russian-research-vessel-intercepts-u-s-icebreaker-in-the-arctic |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref> On September 2nd, the Russian research vessel ''Akademik Nemchinov'' suddenly diverted north to intercept ''Healy''. The vessels were only a few kilometers apart before ''Healy'' diverted course sharply northeast and abandoned several sampling sites.

==Incidents==

=== 2006 dive mishap ===

On 17 August 2006, [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Jessica Hill and [[Petty officer second class|PO2]] Stephen Duque, died of unspecified causes during diving operations in the Arctic Ocean. The Coast Guard conducted simultaneous safety and administrative investigations the results of which were made public in January 2007<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.uscg.mil/foia/healy/comdt_statement_12_jan.pdf |title = USCG Commandant's Statement |author-link = Thad W. Allen |last = Allen |first = Thad W. |date = 12 January 2007 |access-date = 2012-12-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926015700/http://www.uscg.mil/foia/healy/comdt_statement_12_jan.pdf |archive-date = 26 September 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.uscg.mil/foia/healy/healy_fam.pdf |title = Final Action Memorandum |author-link = Thad W. Allen |last = Allen |first = Thad W. |date = 10 January 2007 |access-date = 2012-12-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926015922/http://www.uscg.mil/foia/healy/healy_fam.pdf |archive-date = 26 September 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> along with a Final Decision Letter dated 23 August 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.uscg.mil/foia/Healy/HealyFDL.pdf |title = Final Decision Letter |author-link = Robert J. Papp Jr. |last = Papp |first = Robert J Jr |date = 23 August 2007 |access-date = 2012-12-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926015709/http://www.uscg.mil/foia/Healy/HealyFDL.pdf |archive-date = 26 September 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Initial press reports indicated that the divers were conducting an inspection of the rudder - a routine operation - at the time of the accident, but later reports stated that the two were doing a cold-water training dive near the bow of the ship. The dive was reported to have been planned for a maximum depth of {{convert|20|ft|m|0}}. Lieutenant Hill's father, citing autopsy reports, has indicated that his daughter actually reached a depth of near {{convert|200|ft}} in what he described as an out of control descent. The divers were tended by unqualified and poorly-instructed personnel on the surface, none of whom were familiar with cold water diving or scuba diving in general.<ref>
{{cite news |url = http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/01/ndeadlydiveweb070112/ |title = CG report cites multiple failures in diving deaths |first = Patricia |last = Kime |work = [[Navy Times]] |date = 12 January 2007 |access-date = 2012-12-20 }}</ref> It is not clear why they extended so much line to the divers. By the time the two could be pulled to the surface, gas reserves were empty and neither diver could be revived.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2674389 |title = 200-Foot Plunge Killed Coast Guard Divers |first = Neal |last = Karlinsky |date = 22 November 2006 |work = [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date = 2007-10-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070310152144/https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2674389 |archive-date = 10 March 2007 |url-status = live }}</ref>

On 30 August, Commanding Officer [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]] Douglas G. Russell, was temporarily relieved of command by Vice Admiral Charles Wuster, citing a "loss of confidence" in Russell's ability to command.<ref>
{{cite news |url = http://www.seattlepi.com/local/283268_healy31.html |title = Coast Guard skipper out over 2 diving deaths |first = Mike |last = Barber |date = 31 August 2006 |work = [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date = 2007-10-20 }}</ref> The relief was later made permanent by Coast Guard Commandant [[Thad Allen|Admiral Thad Allen]].

=== 2020 propulsion motor fire ===

On 18 August 2020, ''Healy'' suffered an electrical fire that rendered the electric propulsion motor driving the starboard propeller shaft unusable. At the time of the incident, the icebreaker was underway about {{convert|60|nmi}} from [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]], Alaska and headed for Arctic Ocean science operations. The fire was reported at 21:30 and was extinguished within the hour. There were no injuries among the crew but all science operations had to be cancelled and the vessel returned to its home port Seattle on 31 August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire on Coast Guard icebreaker Healy ends Arctic scientific mission - UPI.com |url=https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/08/26/Fire-on-Coast-Guard-icebreaker-Healy-ends-Arctic-scientific-mission/9541598457372/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adamczyk |first=Ed |date=2020-08-26 |title=Fire on Coast Guard icebreaker Healy ends Arctic scientific mission |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Fire_on_Coast_Guard_icebreaker_Healy_ends_Arctic_scientific_mission_999.html |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Space Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=2020-08-26 |title=Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy Suffers Fire on Arctic Mission; All Arctic Operations Cancelled |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/08/25/coast-guard-icebreaker-healy-suffers-fire-on-arctic-mission-all-arctic-operations-cancelled |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coast Guard Cutter Healy suffers fire, propulsion failure en route to Arctic |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/29ba5aa |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=U.S. Coast Guard |language=en}}</ref> 

On 18 October 2020, ''Healy'' entered a dry dock at the site of the former [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]] where the icebreaker's hull was cut open and the damaged 106-tonne propulsion motor replaced by a spare unit shipped from [[United States Coast Guard Yard]] on a barge via the [[Panama Canal]]. The icebreaker was floated out on 5 January 2021 and returned to Seattle in mid-February. ''Healy'' returned to service in the following summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/2437415/heavy-metal-it-took-a-crane-a-barge-and-a-23-year-old-motor-but-healy-will-retu/|title=Heavy metal: It took a crane, a barge and a 23-year-old motor, but Healy will return to the Arctic|website=United States Coast Guard|date=7 December 2020|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/20s/healy.html|title=Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy suffers major fire damage|website=Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woody |first=Christopher |title=A year after a crippling fire, one of the Coast Guard's most important ships is on a rare trip around North America |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/after-crippling-fire-coast-guard-icebreaker-healy-rare-trip-north-2021-11 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2024 fire ===

At the end of July 2024, ''Healy'' suffered another electrical fire that forced the icebreaker to cancel two scientific missions to the Arctic and patrol through the Northwest Passage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2024/08/08/recuriting-shortfall-means-coast-guard-cant-crew-all-our-ships-says-vice-commandant|title=Recruiting Shortfall Means Coast Guard 'Can't Crew All Our Ships,' Says Vice Commandant|website=USNI News|date=8 August 2024|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://knom.org/2024/08/09/coast-guards-healy-icebreaker-returns-to-seattle-following-fire-in-engineering-space/|title=Coast Guard's Healy Icebreaker Returns to Seattle Following Fire in Engineering Space|website=KNOM Radio Mission|date=9 August 2024|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref> Although the fire in one of the ship's transformers was extinguished quickly and without casualties, and ship's crew and contractors managed to restore power to the affected main propulsion motor, the icebreaker nonetheless returned to its homeport Seattle for repairs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3876986/us-coast-guard-cutter-healy-arrives-in-seattle-following-scientific-research-on/|title=U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy arrives in Seattle following scientific research, onboard fire|website=United States Coast Guard|date=16 August 2024|accessdate=17 August 2024}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
US [[Coast Guard E Ribbon]] for the period of 4 February 2012 to 19 November 2014, at Afloat Training Organization (ATO) Everett, Washington.

*[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
*[[Coast Guard Unit Commendation]] (3rd)
*[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation]] (3rd)
*[[Coast Guard E Ribbon]]
*[[National Defense Service Medal]]
*[[Antarctica Service Medal|Antarctic Service Medal]]
*[[Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal]]
*Coast Guard [[Sea Service Ribbon]] (7th)

==In popular culture==
A fictional icebreaker similar in appearance to ''Healy'', named ''Borealis'', briefly appears in the game [[Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]. This ship was originally planned to be a [[Polar-class icebreaker]] in the original storyline of [[Half-Life 2]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{portal|Oceans}}
*{{official|http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchealy/ }}
*[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/extremeice/thinice.html Video]

{{US Coast Guard navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Healy (WAGB-20), USCGC}}
[[Category:1997 ships]]
[[Category:Icebreakers of the United States Coast Guard]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bridge City, Louisiana]]
[[Category:North Pole]]