The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will be returning to Seattle Tuesday afternoon.
The 399-ft., Seattle-based cutter is returning after a five-month deployment where the icebreaker participated in Operation Deep Freeze 2004. Operation Deep Freeze supports the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation by transporting scientists and breaking through ice in order to re-supply the world’s southern-most science stations. As a result of the Polar Star’s efforts, more than 8 million gallons of fuel and 11 million pounds of cargo were safely delivered to the McMurdo Research Station and South Pole Station, which depend on these supplies to operate.