US icebreaker Polar Star makes final pit stop before vital two-month mission to frozen continent

The 160-strong crew of the US Coast Guard’s Polar Star are recharging their batteries in Hobart before sailing south for a very special white Christmas.

US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, Commanded by Captain Keith Ropella, with US Consul General to Melbourne Kathleen Lively in Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The 160-strong crew of the US Coast Guard’s Polar Star are recharging their batteries in Hobart before sailing south for a very special white Christmas.

Captain Keith Ropella said the icebreaker would depart on Wednesday to support Operation Deep Freeze, an annual joint military service mission to resupply American Antarctic stations.

The cutter’s role is to break a navigable channel through kilometers of ice, to allow fuel and supply ships to reach McMurdo Station.

And if all goes to plan, the Polar Star will reach pack ice on December 25.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, Commanded by Captain Keith Ropella at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The Polar Star is our heavy icebreaker ... and is a combination of hull and horsepower,” Captain Ropella said on Monday.

“The hull up forward has over two inches of steel thickness, while we can get up to 75,000 horsepower to help us through some of the tough stuff.

“We’re excited to be welcomed back as a partner into Hobart as we make our last logistics stop before we head down to Antarctica.

“They call Hobart an Antarctic gateway city for a reason. It’s a wonderful stop, close to Antarctica, especially where we go into the Ross Sea, the hospitality is wonderful, and it’s a great logistics stop for us.

“We’ll be in Antarctica for about two months, and our main job is to break a path for container and fuel ships to resupply McMurdo Station.

“Antarctica is the final frontier on the planet. So this is a unique and fun adventure that supports scientific research.”

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

While the Polar Star takes on groceries including Tasmanian produce during its four-day Hobart stopover, the crew will unwind by travelling to MONA, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and strolling through the city.

Based in Seattle, the cutter’s ice-breaking, rounded hull means rolls of up to 50 degrees have been recorded in heavier seas.

US Consul General to Melbourne, Kathleen Lively, said she was happy to welcome Captain Ropella and his crew back to Hobart.

“They are a real tangible example of the strong connection that the United States and Australia have, particularly when it comes to Antarctica,” Ms Lively said.

“Another example of that strong connection is the fact that Ambassador Caroline Kennedy took a trip to Antarctica yesterday along with Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“They had a wonderful trip to the ice, and it was yet another example of our commitment to making sure that the climate, and Antarctica, are well protected.”