The Coast Guard is drydocking the Polar Sea icebreaker and cancelling the 2010 Arctic patrol.
The icebreaker could be laid up until at least January, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowsi, R-Alaska.
That’s prompted Murkowski to renew her call for more icebreakers. She has introduced legislation to pay for two new Polar class icebreakers, so-called “heavy” icebreakers that are designed to work in severe ice conditions.
A press release from Murkowski’s office Friday morning says a recent Coast Guard inspection found excessive wear in the Polar Sea’s main diesel engine. An analysis of why the wear occurred is underway and expected to be done by mid-August, the press release says.
If additional repairs are required, the ship could be out of commission beyond January.
“On a national level, this eliminates the nation’s only heavy icebreaking capability and seriously imperils our ability to respond to emergencies in ice-covered and ice-diminished waters,” Murkowski said in a prepared statement. “This could clearly impact our ability to preserve and protect U.S. interests in the Arctic.”
The Polar Sea is one of two Polar-class heavy icebreakers. It’s sister ship, the Polar Star, is undergoing extensive repairs and unavailable until 2013, Murkowski’s office said.
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