Coast Guard's only heavy icebreaker develops shaft seal leak

ANTARCTICA

01.10.2020

Video by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi    

U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

One of the main shaft seals onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) began leaking Friday about 18 miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Crewmembers used a hand pump air ram to free a clog in the shaft seal drain pipe and tightened the bolts surround the seal in order to stop the leak.
The shaft was a source of a leak during Operation Deep Freeze 2018-2019, which required the use of Coast Guard divers to effect the repair from underneath the 399-foot icebreaker. The crew of Polar Star is participating in Operation Deep Freeze 2019-2020 in order to break the ice near McMurdo Station in order escort refuel and resupply ship. U.S. Coast Guard video by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi

• Date Taken: 01.10.2020
• Date Posted: 01.22.2020 14:03
• Category: B-Roll
• Video ID: 733816
• VIRIN: 200110-G-EM820-2000
• Filename: DOD_107577898
• Length: 00:00:47
• Location: AQ