Mike Coleman, an engineer from the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, Conn., examines a tracking buoy aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in Seward, Alaska, Aug. 7, 2014. Researchers from the RDC, along with scientists, technicians and engineers from 14 other agencies will travel to the Arctic Circle to conduct studies as part of Arctic Shield 2014, an initiative to improve the Coast Guard's understanding and stewardship of U.S. Arctic waters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Eggert)