The acquisition of HEALY was a joint efort between the U.S. Coast Guard and the U. S. Navy. The detail design and ship construction contract was awarded to Avondale Industries on 15 July 1993. The contract was for a single ship. USCGC HEALY is a multi-mission icebreaking research vessel capable of effectively performing operations satisfying a broad spectrum of scientific and icebreaking requirements in all polar regions.

USCG HEALY is designed to commercial, military and international standards. The cutter is manned and operated by the U. S. Coast Guard. An aviation detachment is provided, and scinetific parties are arranged through the Coast Guard for each cruise.

USCGC HEALY is named in commemoration of Captain Michael A. Healy, U. S. Revenue Marine. Captain Healy was most notable as the foremost seamna and navigator of his time in the Bering Sea and Alaskan Arctic regions while Commanding Officer of the U. S. Revenue Cutter BEAR from 1886 to 1895.

USCGC HEALY’s primary mission will be to function as a world Class high latitude research plarform.

The HEALY will be employed in icebreaking operations during all seasons in The Arctic and Antarctic. All ship systems are designed to function for extended winter operations in these areas including intentional wintering over.

Arctic missions include service as a scientific platform and ice escort to supply vessels supporting Arctic installations and bases. Antarctic missions include support of the U. S. Antarctic Program in scientifIc research prolects, ice escort of supply vessels, transport of cargo and passengers, and support of Antarctic Treaty inspection teams.

MISSION PROFILE Ice Free Transit.................... 15 Days
Full Power Icebreaking.................... 12 Days
Half Power IcebreakIng.................... 18 Days
Have To/At Anchor.................... 20 Days

Accommodations.................... 2 Officers, 10 CPO, 53 Enlisted, 35 Scientists, 15 Surge, 2 Visitors

LABS-
Science Wet Lab.................... 390 sq ft
Main Science Lad.................... 233 sq ft
Science Staging Area (Stbd).................... 315 sq ft
Science Staging Area (Aft).................... 320 sq ft
Science Dry Assemby Area.................... 210 sq ft
Bio1ogical/Chemical Anaysis Lab.................... 310 sq ft
Science Freezer.................... 28 sq ft
Scence Refrigeraror.................... 38 sq ft
Climate Controlled Chambers (2).................... 200 sq ft
Electronics/Computer Lab.................... 528 sq ft
Photography Lab.................... 105 sq ft
Future Science Lab.................... 546 sq ft
Meteorological Lab.................... 98 sq ft

Labs and climate Control Chambers provided with deck sockets, Unistrut system, and clean electrical power

WINCHES - Two oceanographic winches, capable of handling 10,000 meters of 3/8" wire 12000 meters of 0.322" electromechanical cable: or 1 4,000 meters of 1/4" wire; One double drum trawl/core winch, capable of handling 10,000 meters of 3/4 wire, 12,000 meters of 0.680” electromechanical cable, or 14,000 meters of 9/16" wire

OPEN WORKING DECKS- forward 500 sq ft; aft, 3,000 sq ft; starboard aft, 600 sq ft

DEDICATED SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER- INMARSAT system containing voice and high speed data transmission GMDSS capability, and interface with Science Data Network

STARBOARD STAGING AREA - provided with a bridge crane & hoist roller door access with freeze curtain to weather deck, direct access to wet lab, science conning station and holds via a dedicated science hoist.

AFT STAGING AREA-provided with a roll& curtain door to the weather, has2 upper decks for storage of Arctic gear with direct access to the Main Science Lab.

ELECTRONICS-Science Data Network-dual fiber optic network with 120 ethernet ports throughout the science spaces for real time data transfer, provided with processors, plotters, printers, GPS master clock, and installed workstations

Bathymetric Survey System including Echo Sound Processor and Depth Digitizer Seabeam Bottom Mapping Sonar XBT Data Acquisition Unit Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

CRANES-five hydraulically operated cranes providing 100% coverage of open working decks

A-FRAME-two A-frames located on the aft and starboard working decks

VANS-six 20' and two 40' (when LCVP and ASB not embarked) with service hookups (including electrical, HVAC, air, uncontaminated seawater, auxiliary seawater, potable water, science data network). Two 20' vans have direct access from the vessel interior via vestibules in the main lab & science staging area. Two 20' vans may be coupled together.

CARE HANDLING BRACKETS-integrated with the safety railing on the starboard side aft with access to the Science Staging Area.

TRANSDUCER WELL & DEDICATED SCIENCE SEACHEST

SCIENCE FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR - with access to the two Climate Control Chambers.

CARGO HOLDS-three cargo holds providing a total of 20,000 cu ft of storage, serviced by a dedicate science hoist or crane.

DIVE LOCKER-containing a high pressure air compressor and storage for dive equipment, the Medical Treatment room can accommodate a recompression chamber.

Quiet Ship Operations - control of radiated noise for underwater acoustics work and operation of underwater acoustic systems.

Central Power Generating Pland and AC/AC Cycloconverter Propulsion Drive

Machinery Plant control & Monitoring System (MPCMS)-providing automated control of machinery plant.

Fixed Pitch Propellers Twin Rudders 2200kw Auxiliary Generator 2200 HP Bow Thruster

Cranes-five hydraulically operated, 100% coverage of working decks

Polution Control - OWS, Incinerator, CHT System, Trash Compactor

Anti-roll Stabilization Tank

MISSION CAPABILITIES

Icebreaking - 4.5’ continuous at 3 knots, up to 8’ ramming.

Three Conning Stations-Pilothouse,Aloft conn,& Science Conn providing automated control & navigation.

Boats-one Arctic Survey Boat (ASB), one ICVP, two RHIBs

Science Spaces-six labs, two climate control chambers, freezer/refrigerator, three holds, library/conference room

Vans-space for six with services, four for storage.

OTHER

Aviation - two HH-65 helicopters, flight deck, hangar, helo workshop and storeroom, aviation office

Underway Replenishment
Underway Refueling
Quiet Ship Operations
Dive Locker & Recompresion Chamber
Open Working decks; forward 5000 sq ft, aft 3,000 sq ft.