On Aug. 10, the U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its medium polar icebreaker Storis (WAGB 21) in Junea, Alaska. The vessel was acquired in December 2024 to strengthen the service’s Arctic presence and provide operational support until the Coast Guard’s new polar security cutters (PSC) enter service. The first PSC, originally scheduled for delivery in the mid 2020s, is now expected in 2030 at the earliest.
The Storis is the first polar icebreaker acquired by the Coast Guard in more than 25 years. It will operate as part of a bridging strategy for Arctic surface presence, expanding capabilities in the region while supporting national security and maritime operations, the Coast Guard said.
Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, said the cutter strengthens the service’s ability to operate in Arctic waters. “The commissioning of USCGC Storis immediately strengthens our ability to control, secure and defend the U.S. border around Alaska and maritime approaches in the Arctic. Storis is the first step of a historic investment in the Coast Guard to add critical capacity to our polar icebreaker fleet to protect U.S. sovereignty and counter malign influence throughout the Arctic.”
While infrastructure upgrades are completed in Juneau, the Storis will be berthed in Seattle with the Coast Guard’s other two polar icebreakers.
The ship was formerly the motor vessel Aiviq, purchased on Dec. 20, 2024, from a subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore. Following its acquisition, the vessel underwent modifications to improve communications systems and self-defense capabilities. The Coast Guard renamed the 360’8”x80’x34’ polar class 3-equivalent icebreaker Storis, making it the second vessel in Coast Guard history to carry that name.
Prior to the acquisition, Aiviq was an anchor handling supply tug with icebreaking capability. It was built at Edison Chouest's North American Shipbuilding, Larose, La., and LaShip, Houma, La., and delivered in March 2012 to support Shell’s oil drilling operations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas off the coast of Alaska.
The cutter is commanded by Capt. Keith M. Ropella, who serves as chief of cutter forces at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. Ropella previously commanded Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) from July 2022 to July 2024.
The Coast Guard statement said the Storis is part of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 modernization plan, intended to make the service more agile, capable, and responsive in meeting mission demands in the Arctic and beyond.
