U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star marks 50 years of service, begins Operation Deep Freeze 2026
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) began icebreaking operations in the Southern Ocean in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2026 and marked its 50th year of commissioned service Saturday by freeing and escorting a cruise ship trapped in pack ice.
The Australian-owned cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II contacted Polar Star at approximately 11 p.m., local time Friday after becoming beset in pack ice roughly eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound.
Polar Star’s crew conducted two close passes to break the vessel free, then escorted it approximately four nautical miles to open water.
Polar Star departed Seattle in November for its 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
(U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star marks 50 years of service, begins Operation Deep Freeze 2026)
