The US Coast Guard is embarking on a significant new chapter in its operations with the launch of its first polar icebreaker in over 25 years, the USCGC Storis (WAGB-21). This vessel, which was procured in November 2024, is set to take on essential responsibilities as a stopgap ship and will provide crucial capabilities until the arrival of next-generation cutters anticipated in 2030.
The Storis is specifically designed to enhance the Coast Guard’s operational presence in critical areas of the Arctic and Antarctic. It will undertake missions that have traditionally been handled by older cutters that have been in service since the 1970s and 1990s. This modernization is vital as the challenges in polar regions continue to grow due to changing climate conditions and increasing geopolitical interests.
Preparations are underway for the formal induction of the Storis, which is scheduled to take place this August in Juneau, Alaska. Following this event, the vessel will temporarily be stationed in Seattle as infrastructure upgrades are conducted at its eventual homeport in Juneau.
The deployment of the Storis aligns with the broader objectives of the US Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter Program. This program seeks to develop larger, more versatile polar-capable ships that will enhance both military support and commercial security in these crucial and often challenging regions.
Production of the fleet’s first platform is already in full swing, having commenced last May in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The lead vessel, named USCGC Polar Sentinel (WMSP-21), will stand 460 feet (140 meters) long and boast an 86-foot (26-meter) beam. Designed to accommodate over 180 personnel and equipped with a maritime helicopter, the Polar Sentinel will possess an operational endurance of up to 90 days.
In terms of power and maneuverability, the new icebreakers will be propelled by a robust 45,000-horsepower combined diesel-electric engine, enabling them to navigate through ice as thick as 8 feet (2 meters) at a steady pace of 3 knots (3.4 miles/5.5 kilometers per hour).
To ensure the safety and security of Coast Guard operations in polar regions, the vessels will also be armed. They will feature 12.7-millimeter machine guns and 30-millimeter autocannons, adding a layer of defense for both the crews and the missions they undertake.
As the Coast Guard continues to enhance its capabilities, the deployment of the Storis and the upcoming Polar Security Cutter fleet signifies a renewed commitment to maintaining a strong presence in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
