US ship’s good deed could cause delays for Arctic researchers
FEB 10, 2012
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.025872
Science : The US Coast Guard icebreaker Healy , which works most of the year for the scientific community, was about to head to dry dock at the end of its 2011 run when it was called back into action. A freak storm in November left the Alaska settlement of Nome icebound, and the Healy helped break through almost 300 miles of ice so that a Russian fuel tanker could make a delivery to the town’s icebound residents. The dramatic rescue may cause problems for researchers planning to go out on the ship in 2012, however. The Healy is now behind schedule for its annual maintenance, which could delay its return to sea by as much as 4–8 weeks. The Coast Guard is currently considering its options, including whether to reschedule the scientific teams or seek extra funding to shorten the ship’s time in dry dock.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics
