New House Bill; New Coast Guard Icebreakers…?

Posted on 15 June 2009 by Ryan Erickson | Comments

There’s a new bill on the street that’s seemingly trying to re-jumpstart the endeavors for the Coast Guard to acquire new polar capable icebreakers. The bill, H.R. 2865, isn’t specify aimed at this action, however, without the new ‘breakers’ there really isn’t much need to move forward.

The bill, as introduced by Rep. Don Young from Alaska, short titled Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act of 2009, only partially covers the topic of new icebreakers. In short, this bill acknowledges that the Northern Passage exists; however, the resources to adequately manage shipping, protect lives, and maintaining overall domain awareness throughout the “Passage” are not in place.

In reading the bill it almost looks like a Help Wanted add where only one agency could apply… good for us. Not only does it recognize that the Coast Guard already has working relations with neighboring countries, a key to success within the area; it also makes note of what’s needed to keep the area safe-

• placement and maintenance of aids to navigation;
• appropriate icebreaking escort, tug, and salvage capabilities;
• oil spill prevention and response capability;
• maritime domain awareness, including long-range vessel tracking; and
• search and rescue.

Looks right up our alley… But not much can be done in this government without money, that’s a common problem. But it too is covered as the bill calls for the following budget recommendations

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated–
(1) to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating–
     (A) $750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012 for the construction of two polar capable icebreakers;
     (B) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015 for seasonal operations in the Arctic; and
     (C) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 to carry out agreements established under section 5; and
(2) to the Secretary of Transportation $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015 to conduct demonstration projects under section 7.

The next step is for all of us to wait. It will be interesting to see if this bill is addressed in the next few weeks by the folks in DC…