Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/149372
coast of Barrow. This three-day capability assessment included deploying a U.S. Coast Guard oil skimmer, a U.S. Navy oil skimmer, and an ice capable commercial oil skimmer. The USCG Research and Development Center's personnel conducted additional capability assessments with two experimental amphibious craft capable of traversing land, open water, and ice, and also conducted sound surveys to develop a noise baseline for USCG helicopter operations in Barrow. Capability Lessons Learned Opportunities to use and test equipment, refne procedures, and train people to work in the extreme North, helped shape Arctic Shield 2012 operations. While the deployments were successful, the exercise revealed the lack of support facilities (for example, no port services), challenges of operating in and near ice, and diffculties in resupplying via small boat. Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore crewmembers deploy the cutter's spilled oil recovery system equipment near Barrow, Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Offcer Kelly Parker. Other Lessons Learned While AS 2012 was an operational success, it also provided the Coast Guard with valuable lessons learned and insight into the environmental, fnancial, and cultural hurdles that need to be accounted for, to conduct operations in the Arctic. Through AS12, the USCG also developed a baseline of operational capabilities with current technologies and assets, which will be used to plan and evaluate future operations. Extreme Weather One of the most diffcult weather forecasting models is determining ice-free periods in the Arctic Ocean. Additionally, challenges arise with varying and quickly changing weather conditions such as extreme cold, low overcast ceilings, heavy fog, high winds, and rough seas. Also, the region experiences long periods in the summer when the sun doesn't set and in the winter when it doesn't rise. All CG members deployed in support of Arctic Shield 2012 received Arctic weather awareness and situational awareness training. This best practice will continue for future deployments. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf receives supplies during an airdrop from an Air Station Kodiak HC‑130 Hercules airplane in the Arctic Ocean, allowing Bertholf to conduct operations without having to come back to port. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Offcer Timothy Tamargo. www.uscg.mil/proceedings Overcoming Vast Distances The USCG District 17 area of responsibility includes more than 44,000 miles of shoreline. Generally, the existing infrastructure on the North Summer 2013 Proceedings 33