The Department of Homeland Security has approved full production of the first U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC). The Service also received approval for low-rate initial production of the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC).
The long-delayed project entails the replacement of the Polar Star, the sole remaining U.S. heavy icebreaker. It facilitates the ability of shipbuilder Bollinger to ramp up hiring, allowing it to deliver the ship as quickly as possible.
The PSC is the first heavy polar icebreaker to be built in the U.S. in nearly five decades. The Coast Guard is the sole federal agency responsible for icebreaking. Accordingly, the Service must replace, modernize, and grow its fleet of icebreakers to assure U.S. access and sovereignty in the polar regions. The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to working with the Administration and Congress to fulfill the President’s direction on icebreaker acquisition.
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