USCGC Healy now docked in Reykjavik

The USCGC Healy arrived in Reykjavík yesterday morning, the largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker in the United States.

The ship’s home port is Seattle, Washington state, and it was commissioned by the Coast Guard in November 1999 and is its largest vessel. Since then, Healy has broken its way to the North Pole four times, first in 2001 and last this winter.

The USCGC Healy is 128 metres long and designed specifically for a wide range of research. It includes five full-fledged laboratory spaces on board and workspaces for up to 50 scientists and other researchers. Two helicopters of the type HH-65B Dolphin are also on board. During a steady voyage, Healy can break through 1.4 metres of ice but up to 3 metres of ice.