CGC POLAR STAR (WAGB 10), US Coast Guard Photo

Antarctic Ocean, Antartic (Feb. 13)--Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) breaks its way through ice. Since the late 1970s, these 400-foot mammoths of the Coast Guard fleet, based in Seattle, Wash., have been traveling north and south for their primary mission of scientific and logistical support in both Polar Regions. Polar class icebreakers have a variety of missions while operating in polarregions. During Antarctic deployments, their primary missions include breaking achannel through the sea iceto resupply the McMurdo Research Station in the Ross Sea. Resupply ships using the channel to bring food, fuel, and other goods to make it through another winter. In addition, to these duties, Polar Star also serves as a scientific research platform withfive laboratories and accommodations for up to 20 scientists. The "J"-shaped cranes and workareas near the stern and port side of ship give scientists the capability to do at-sea studies in the fields of geology, vulcanology, oceanography, sea-ice physicsand other disciplines. USCG photo by PA2 Andre Billeaudeaux