USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20), the United States newest polar capable icebreaker, was commissioned as a U. S. Coast Guard cutter on August 21, 2000. The vessel was designed and built by Litton-Avondale Industries, Inc. and named after Captain Michael A. Healy of the U.S. Revenue Marine. HEALY’s primary mission is to function as a world class high latitude research platform with emphasis on Arctic science. The ship is capable of employment in icebreaking operations during any season in the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship’s systems have been designed with sufficient redundancy and robustness to meet national contingencies in the Polar Regions, including intentional wintering over. Other mission capabilities include escort for logistical re-supply of polar land facilities, search and rescue in Polar Regions, and marine environmental protection response.

Planned deployments are expected to be multi-disciplinary, in support of a wide range of science and engineering projects including, but not limited to: marine geology; physical, chemical and biological oceanography; and meteorology. Science working spaces and labs were designed to facilitate the latest approaches and techniques for conducting state of the art oceanographic research.