The U.S. Coast Guard has officially acquired the motor vessel Aiviq, a 360-foot Polar Class 3-equivalent icebreaker, from Edison Chouest Offshore. This acquisition strengthens the Coast Guard’s Arctic operational capabilities while awaiting the delivery of the new Polar Security Cutter (PSC) fleet.
Key Highlights
- Renaming and Commissioning
- Upon commissioning, the vessel will be renamed Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21), honouring the legacy of the original Storis, famously nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast.”
- Strategic Importance
- The acquisition reinforces U.S. sovereignty in the Arctic and bolsters national security.
- It provides near-term operational presence to address strategic needs in the region.
- Financial and Contract Details
- The acquisition was facilitated by a $125 millionfirm-fixed-pricee contract with Offshore Service Vessels, L.L.C., covering reactivation, modifications, training, and readiness activities.
- The purchase was enabled by the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and fiscal year 2024 appropriations.
- Temporary and Permanent Homeport
- The vessel will eventually relocate to Juneau, Alaska, once infrastructure improvements are completed. Temporary homeport options are being evaluated in the interim.
Capabilities and Modifications
With minimal modifications, the future Stories will support a variety of Coast Guard missions, including:
- Safeguarding U.S. sovereign interests in the Arctic.
- Conducting icebreaking operations.
- Performing select Coast Guard missions essential for Arctic operations.
Further evaluations will determine additional requirements to achieve full operational capacity.
Long-Term Vision
The Coast Guard aims to maintain a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers to meet operational demands in polar regions. The acquisition of Storis serves as a bridging strategy until the Polar Security Cutter program delivers its full complement of vessels.
Adm. Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, emphasized:
“This acquisition is a vital step in increasing our operational presence in the Arctic. The future Coast Guard Cutter Storis builds on our legacy of Arctic operations and underscores our commitment to asserting U.S. sovereignty and supporting national security in the region.”
The Coast Guard’s proactive approach ensures that the U.S. remains a significant operational presence in the rapidly changing Arctic environment.
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Source: United States Coast Guard News
