After a five-month Antarctic mission, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star returned to Seattle, marking emotional reunions and a successful Operation Deep Freeze.
SEATTLE — Emotional reunions played out along the waterfront Monday as families welcomed home loved ones aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star.
The massive icebreaker returned to Seattle after spending nearly five months in Antarctica on Operation Deep Freeze.
“Polar Star’s mission is of national significance," said Captain Jeff Rasnake. "We are the only ship in the U.S. fleet that can go down to Antarctica and break a channel through the ice.”
Deployed just before Thanksgiving, the crew traveled more than 23,000 miles during the mission. Along the way, they carved a path through thick ice, escorted supply ships, and supported critical scientific research in one of the most remote regions on Earth.
The Polar Star and its crew are expected to remain in Seattle until November, when they’ll head out on their next mission.