Environmental and ship performance data were collected aboard the USCGC POLAR SEA in April 1979 as part of a two year program to make an operational assessment of the feasibility of a year-round transportation system serving northwestern Alaska. The POLAR SEA successfully operated through the North Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and South Chukchi Sea during this time period. From an analysis of the governing ice conditions and the capability of the ship, it has been concluded that the POLAR Class icebreakers have the capability to operate year-round in the North Bering Sea. Three commercial icebreaking ships (MV ARCTIC, SS MANHATTON, and a proposed Arctic tanker) were also evaluated to determine their ability to successfully operate along potential marine routes in Western Alaska. Volume I contains a description of the data collected, an analysis of the data, and an evaluation of the three types of ships.
Operational Assessment of Commercial Icebreaking Ships in Western Alaskan Waters, Based on April 1979 USCG POLAR Class Trafficability Test Data. Volume I
1979
49 pages
Report
No indication
English