The United States Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA, commanded by Captain Mark L. Miller, will return home to Seattle on Saturday, April 19, after a 5 1/2 month; 21,000 nautical mile; Antarctic Operation Deep Freeze 2003 deployment.
POLAR SEA is scheduled to arrive at the U.S. Coast Guard Base, located at Pier 36, at 12 noon.
Polar Sea faced demanding ice conditions this year due primarily to the presence of two icebergs: B-15 and C-19, each approximately 100 miles by 20 miles. The icebergs are speculated to have altered local ocean circulation and lower temperature.
On Dec 29, POLAR SEA began a 52-mile channel break-in through ice more than 13 feet thick enroute to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The single-ship, 11-day transit was the longest channel break-in since 1963, when the U.S. Coast Guard deployed three ice breakers to complete the task.
While returning to Seattle, the POLAR SEA was diverted more than 900 nautical miles to assist the Republic of Kiribati Motor Vessel TE TAOBE. TE TAOBE experienced engineering difficulties; was disabled and adrift in the Pacific Ocean with more than 60 people aboard; and a 16-year-old female passenger was in need of emergency medical attention.
POLAR SEA arrived on-scene; sent a team of engineers to assist; reprovisioned the TE TAOBE with food and water; conducted minor surgery on the young girl and transported her back to the POLAR SEA.
When in range, the POLAR SEA's aviation detachment transported the young girl to Canton Island (Phoenix Group, Kiribati). A Coast Guard C-130 aircraft, from Air Station Barber's Point, HI, retrieved the patient and transpored her to Western Samoa for futher medical attention.
Video of the rescue and medical evacuation will be available upon the POLAR SEA's arrival.
For more information about the POLAR SEA, Operation Deep Freeze 2003, or the medical evacuation, visit the POLAR SEA website at www.uscg.mil/pacarea/polarsea.home.htm. To attend the POLAR SEA arrival at Seattle's Coast Guard base, contact Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier, 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237 (office), or (206) 391-6591 (mobile).
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