The US Coast Guard has received a stand-in icebreaker ship to support the service’s polar cutter fleet modernization program.
Handed over by Offshore Service Vessels, the MV Aiviq’s primary role is to retain the force’s presence in the Arctic until the arrival of the service’s new Polar Security Cutters by the 2030s.
The $125-million deal to procure the commercially-available system was awarded to the Louisiana-based maritime company in November.
After its induction, the MV Aiviq will be renamed USCGC Storis, which makes the system the second to bear the name.
According to the coast guard, the system will be fitted with “minimal modifications” and further evaluated to confirm its full operational capability before deployment to support “sovereign interests” and other select missions.
The platform will be homeported in Juneau, Alaska.
“This acquisition is a vital step in increasing our operational presence in the Arctic,” US Coast Guard Commandant Admr. Linda Fagan stated.
“The future Coast Guard Cutter Storis builds on our legacy of Arctic operations and underscores our commitment to asserting U.S. sovereignty and supporting national security in the region.”
The USCGC Storis
During its time as the MV Aiviq, the USCGC Storis was used for drilling, spill response, oil exploration, and towing missions.
Its hull measures 360 feet (110 meters) long and can carry up to 60 personnel and a single helicopter.
The Stori’s base power generators include four Caterpillar engines for a maximum speed of 15 knots (17 miles/28 kilometers per hour) in open water and about 5 knots (6 miles/9 kilometers per hour) on ice.
