Newly transformed USCG icebreaker departs on maiden voyage
Icebreaker Aiviq is shown here before being transformed, modified, and renamed as USCG Cutter Storis . (US Coast Guard)
The US Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Storis (WAGB 21), the service's first polar icebreaker acquired in more than 25 years, departed on its maiden voyage from Pascagoula, Mississippi, it confirmed on 4 June.
Acquired as motor vessel Aiviq on 20 December 2024 from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary, the icebreaker was renamed Storis following modifications to enhance communications and self-defence capabilities, the USCG said in a release.
Storis' departure marks an early milestone in the service's transformation through Force Design 2028 (FD2028), which includes reforming USCG acquisitions to rapidly deploy capabilities, the service said.
Storis will provide âoperational presence in the Arctic and support coast guard missions while the service awaits the delivery of the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) classâ, the USCG said, adding that the service will continue evaluating the cutter's condition and requirements to achieve full operational capability.
The PSC was recently approved for full-rate production.
For more information, please seeFull-rate production approved for first US Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter .
The vessel is manned with a hybrid crew consisting of USCG cuttermen and civilian mariners.
Storis is scheduled to be commissioned in August in Juneau, Alaska, which will eventually be the vessel's permanent home port after its shore infrastructure is improved.
Storis will be temporarily berthed in Seattle, Washington, with the service's two other polar icebreakers, USCG Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and USCG Cutter Healy (WAGB 20).
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