2 articles, one new, and one from a few months ago, but they both detail the same issue:
Defense NewsQuote:
A new Coast Guard icebreaker is a decade away. A lawmaker says that’s too long.
Meghann Myers, Navy Times 1:13 p.m. EDT May 23, 2016
The Coast Guard is in the very early stages of building a second heavy icebreaker, but it's still about 10 years away and a California congressman is calling for the Navy to help its sister service out with design acumen and money.
For now, the heavy icebreaker Polar Sea is the Coast Guard's only option, but it's into its fifth decade of service, and doesn't have a backup if it breaks down.
In a May 17 letter to Assistant Navy Secretary Sean Stackley, who's in charge of research, development and acquisitions, Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter asked the Department of the Navy to provide some insight on the service's Arctic capabilities and outlook.
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DiplomatQuote:
Will the US Coast Guard Close the ‘Icebreaker Gap’?
The U.S. Coast Guard’s initiative to build additional icebreakers is gaining momentum.
By Franz-Stefan Gady
January 14, 2016
This Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard made a first step in its quest to accelerate the construction of additional polar icebreakers, by announcing a Federal Business Opportunities solicitation for the so-called Polar Class Icebreaker Replacement Program. The move came amid criticism that the United States is falling behind Russia and even China in the number of ice breaking vessels it can field.
According to the announcement, the Coast Guard intends to host an Industry Day followed by one-on-one meetings with prospective shipbuilders and ship designers as a part of ongoing market research in March 2016 in Washington, D.C.
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