Norman D. Dicks: “I thank my good friend from Alaska for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for raising this important issue. The…”

“I thank my good friend from Alaska for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for raising this important issue. The dramatic reduction in the Arctic sea ice that is happening at the North Pole is leading to substantial growth in activity in the Arctic region. The Coast Guard in the High Latitude Study determined that it needs a minimum of three heavy and three medium icebreakers to meet its statutory mission. This bill includes funding to start the design phase of a new heavy icebreaker; however, it will not enter service until 2020 at the earliest. Until then, there will be only one heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star, and one medium icebreaker in operation. This is clearly not enough for the Coast Guard to accomplish its mission. And given the age of the Polar Star, which entered service in the 1970s, the possibility of a breakdown or extended maintenance period is significant, which would leave us without any serviceable heavy icebreaker at all. As my friend has noted, the Polar Sea, the Coast Guard's second heavy icebreaker, has been decommissioned and is awaiting the final orders to scrap it. Given our rapidly growing need in the polar region, I worry that the Coast Guard is not considering other options for the Polar Sea. Personally, I think a compelling case can be made for directing the Coast Guard to make the investment and put it back into service. But, at the very least, the Coast Guard needs to take time to review alternatives.…”