Vigor completes maintenance period for medium polar icebreaker USCGC Heal

July 17, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Vigor Marine Portland has completed a dry dock maintenance availability for the US Coast Guard’s medium polar icebreaker USCGC Healy (WAGB 20), preparing the vessel for its return to Arctic operations.

The work was carried out at Vigor’s Swan Island shipyard in Portland, Oregon, with approximately 900 shipyard workers involved in the complex repair and modernization project.

The availability included extensive mechanical, structural, preservation and modernization work aimed at restoring the vessel’s operational readiness. Among the key tasks were the overhaul of critical propulsion components, including shafts, bearings, seals, rudders and the bow thruster, to ensure reliable performance during future Arctic deployments.

The shipyard also upgraded Healy’s EM-304 multibeam sonar system and supporting infrastructure, enhancing the icebreaker’s ocean mapping and scientific research capabilities.

In addition, Vigor designed and fabricated a replacement casing for the vessel’s sub-bottom profiler (SBP) after an emergent customer requirement. Delivering the component to the original equipment manufacturer specifications enabled the installation of the scientific system to proceed without delay and restored the vessel’s full three-casing configuration.

“This project reflects the strong teamwork between our skilled employees and the U.S. Coast Guard in preparing Healy for its return to Arctic operations,” said Adam Beck, Executive Vice President of Maintenance and Modernization at Vigor Marine Group.

According to the company, the maintenance period required close coordination between shipyard personnel and subcontractors across multiple trades, including boilermakers, carpenters, crane operators and machinists.

The project marks the second maintenance availability Vigor has completed on USCGC Healy. Beyond Healy, Vigor is also nearing completion of work on the heavy polar icebreaker USCGC Polar Star at its Seattle shipyard, while maintenance activities continue on the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS-28) in Portland.