Polar Star Icebreaker

Saturday evening, the Coast Guard was offering tours of the Polar Star Icebreaker, so we went to see it. The Polar Star is currently breaking a path through the ice from open water to McMurdo Station, so the resupply ship can dock and unload. The Coast Guard representative gave us a great tour; it was really interesting to see the ship!

Polar Star breaking ice into McMurdo Sound to lead the way for the resupply ship.

Views from the Polar Star.

Coast Guard personnel stand on this tower while the ship is breaking ice to be able to see what's happening.

Views from the Polar Star.

Stern of the Polar Star.

Rear deck of the Polar Star.

Steering wheel in the control room of the Polar Star.

Drawing on the table in one of the offices. "Operation Deep Freeze" is a military operation to Antarctica. These are the three rites of passage for Coasties on Deep Freeze. Crossing the intersection of the equator and the international date line ("golden shellback"), crossing the international date line ("red dragon"), and arriving in Antarctica ("deep freeze ceremony").