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USCGC Healy

(Source: U.S Coast Guard)

For more information about USCGC Healy, see:
http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/healy/

USCGC Healy is named after Capt. Michael Healy, of the U.S. Revenue Marine, a precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard. Healy, the son of a former slave, is noted as the foremost seaman and navigator of his time in the Bering Sea and Alaskan Arctic while the commanding officer of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Bear from 1886 to 1895.

For more information about Capt. Healy, see: http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/healy/capthealy/capthealy.htm
 

Ships' specifications

Length overall: - 128 meters (420 feet)
Beam: - 24 meters (82 feet)
Draft: - 8.5 meters (28 feet nine inches)
Speed: - 17 knots (19 mph)
Displacement (Full Load) - 14,877 metric tons (16,400 Tons)
Shaft Horsepower - 30,000
Icebreaking capability - 1.37 meters (4.5 feet) continuous at 3 knots (3.4 mph) 2.4 meters (8 feet) backing and ramming
Accommodations: - 12 officers; 10 chief petty officers; 53 enlisted 35 scientists with a surge capacity to accommodate 15 more for a total of 50.
 

Ship Features

AC-AC Cyclo-converter propulsion system; highly automated "Continuous Testing and Evaluation System" enabling off-ship trouble shooting from data transmitted via INMARSAT; implementation of condition-based maintenance program.

Ship control systems include an anti-roll stabilization tank, a bow thruster, twin rudders, fixed-pitch propellers, and a bow wash system that can lubricate the hull during icebreaking.

The computerized, integrated bridge system uses electronic charts, an autopilot and electronic positioning information to automate many ship control functions. A dynamic positioning system allows precise station keeping and movement from three different conning stations.

A dedicated INMARSAT system provides satellite communications for scientific work. Healy is equipped with a computerized data logging system to record and store data from the navigation, oceanographic, engineering, and communications systems.

Two helicopters and five boats are available for aiding science operations and logistics.

For more information about Coast Guard helicopters, see: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/atcmobil/Popdiv/aircraft.html
For more information about how the helicopters have been used to support science, see: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/atcmobil/Popdiv/science.html
 

Science spaces

There are over 5,000 square feet of interior science laboratories and science support rooms in addition to covered staging areas and exterior space on Healy. There are seven labs, two climate control chambers, a freezer and a refrigerated space. Three science cargo holds provide up to 20,000 cubic feet of storage space.

The ship includes the latest in polar research equipment and systems, integrated by a modular science data network. Key science systems and gear include a bottom mapping sonar system; a depth sounding and sub-bottom profiler; a conductivity-depth-temperature (CTD) acquisition and analysis system; an acoustic Doppler current profiler; a rosette water sampling system; a continuous flow, seawater sampling system; a jumbo piston coring system; and a bow tower for clean air experiments.

Healy is well equipped for towing and for handling the wide variety of of sensor arrays and oceanographic gear needed for ocean research. Five cranes are strategically located to for loading supplies and equipment, setting up experiments, positioning vans, and deploying/recovering scientific gear and boats. There are two separate ocean winches and a double drum trawl/core winch available for scientific operations. A-frames located on the stern and starboard quarter provide versatility for over-the-side operations.

Main science lab - 114 square meters (1233 sq. ft.)
Electronics/computer lab - 49 square meters (528 sq. ft.)
Science wet lab - 36 square meters (390 sq. ft.)
Biological/chemical analysis lab - 28 square meters (310 sq. ft.)
Meteorological lab - 9 square meters (98 sq. ft.)
 

USCG Healy Q&A

Where is Healy's Homeport?
Seattle, Wash.

How many people are assigned to Healy?
Healy is billeted for a crew of 75 people. Use of technology and automation allows the ship to be operated with nearly half the crew of the Coast Guard's other Polar Icebreakers, Polar Star and Polar Sea.

Why was Healy designed as a scientific research icebreaker?
For many years there has been a strong interest in exploring and conducting scientific research in the Arctic regions. The Coast Guard, as the owner/operator of the nation's icebreaking fleet, designed Healy to meet the diverse needs of the scientific community.

What does the designation "WAGB 20" stand for?
"WAGB" is a designation that's part of a naval ship classification scheme that's been in use at least since World War II. It's not an acronym. This is the breakdown:

W is a Coast Guard prefix
A indicates an auxiliary vessel (B = battleship, C = cruiser, D = destroyer, CV = aircraft carrier, F = frigate, etc.)
G indicates "miscellaneous"
B indicates an icebreaker

Each ship in a particular classification has a unique number. Polar Star is WAGB-10, Polar Sea WAGB-11 and Healy is WAGB-20.

Is Healy specially designed to operate in extreme temperatures?
Healy was designed and built to operate in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The crew and machinery are specially outfitted to operate in the most extreme environments on the planet, including the ability to winter in the polar regions for planned science missions.

 
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