U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy departed Seattle on Oct. 1 on a months-long Arctic deployment that could eventually lead to federal policies affecting the commercial fishing industry.
The cutter’s crew is supporting scientists conducting three science missions during the deployment, and other science of opportunity across a broad spectrum of disciplines will also be supported as time and weather allow, according to the Guard.
The first mission supports the Arctic Port Access Route Study (PARS). During this mission, the cutter is performing bathymetric mapping in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
The Coast Guard has initiated an Arctic PARS, it said, to analyze current vessel patterns, predict future vessel needs and balance the needs of all waterway users by developing and recommending vessel routing measures for the Arctic.
The Arctic PARS may lead to future rulemaking or international agreements that consider coastal communities, fishing, commercial traffic, military needs, resource development, wildlife presence and habit, tribal activities and recreational uses.
For the second mission, Healy is expected to embark 20 early career polar scientists and their mentors on an Arctic Chief Scientists Training Cruise sponsored by the National Science Foundation and University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System, or UNOLS, an organization of 58 academic institutions and National Laboratories involved in oceanographic research and joined for the purpose of coordinating oceanographic ships’ schedules and research facilities.
The early career scientists plan to conduct multidisciplinary research, including mapping to fill critical bathymetric gaps and scientific sampling across various disciplines, in addition to developing skills in shipboard leadership, coordination and execution.
The third mission of the deployment is to support other science of opportunity, including sea floor mapping for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Coast Survey.