Polar Icebreakers in a Changing World: An Assessment of U.S. Needs

This report explores the current and future needs for icebreaking ship capabilities of the United States. The report concluded that the nation continues to require a polar icebreaking fleet that includes a minimum of three multi-mission ships and one single-mission ship.

The report includes several recommendations by the committee to improve the nation’s capability to operate in both polar regions reliably.

Contents
SUMMARY FOR CONGRESS
SUMMARY
01 INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Icebreaker Fleet
Purpose of This Report
02 U.S. STRATEGIC INTERESTS AND MISSIONS IN THE POLAR REGIONS
The U.S. Antarctic Presence
The U.S. Arctic Presence
Welfare of Alaskan Citizens,
03 ARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND POTENTIAL CHALLENGES
Overview of Arctic Environmental Change
Potential Environmental Challenges
04 POLAR SCIENCE’S KEY ROLE IN EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
Arctic Science
Antarctic Science
The International Polar Year 2007-2008
Final Thoughts
05 U. S. COAST GUARD ROLES AND MISSIONS
Maritime Safety
National Defense
Maritime Security
Maritime Mobility
Protection of Natural Resources
Ice Operations
06 U.S. POLAR ICEBREAKER FLEET
Icebreaking Ships—An Historical Perspective
Assessment of National Icebreaker Requirements
The Present Fleet of U.S. Icebreakers
The Current World Fleet of Polar Icebreakers
Icebreaker Technology
Icebreakers Under Construction
U.S. Polar Icebreaker Operations in the Last Twenty Years
07 ICEBREAKING ENVIRONMENTS AND CHALLENGES TO THE U.S. FLEET
Operating Environment
Potential Challenges to the U.S. Flee
08 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR USAP RESUPPLY
Current Logistics Support in Antarctica
Alternatives for Antarctic Resupply
09 ANALYSIS OF U.S. CURRENT AND FUTURE POLAR ICEBREAKING NEEDS
Needs Analysis
Gap Analysis
10 OPTIONS FOR ACQUIRING NEW POLAR ICEBREAKING SERVICES
Options for Meeting Gaps in U.S. Polar Icebreaking Capabilities
Ship Renewal and Transition Schedule
Options for Polar Icebreaking Crewin
11 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Icebreaking Needs in the Arcti
Icebreaking Needs in the Antarcti
Support of U.S. Polar Research
Renewal of the Nation’s Polar Icebreaking Fleet
Transition to a new Polar Icebreaking Fleet
Managing the Nation’s Polar Icebreaking Fleet
Clarification of National Policy
REFERENCES
APPENDIXES
A STATEMENT OF TASK
B SUMMARY FROM INTERIM REPORT
C U.S. COAST GUARD POLAR ICEBREAKING AUTHORITY AND POLICY
D BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
E ACRONYMS