“This project reflects the strong teamwork between our skilled employees and the US Coast Guard in preparing Healy for its return to Arctic operations,” said Adam Beck, EVP of Maintenance and Modernization for VMG. “Our team partnered closely with the Coast Guard to successfully complete a broad range of mechanical, structural, preservation, and modernization work and returned the vessel to service. Coast Guard vessels serve critical roles in some of the harshest conditions on earth, and we are proud to support their mission.”
The availability required close coordination with subcontractors and shipyard personnel across major crafts including boilermakers, carpenters, crane operators, and machinists. It included restoring critical propulsion components, including shafts, bearings, seals, rudders, and the bow thruster, to ensure reliable performance during Arctic deployments. The team also modernized the vessel’s EM-304 multibeam sonar system and supporting infrastructure to enhance Healy‘s ocean mapping and scientific research capabilities.
In addition to these major repairs, Vigor manufactured a replacement Sub-Bottom Profiler (SBP) casing in support of an emergent customer need. By designing, fabricating, and delivering the casing to original equipment manufacturer specifications, the team avoided delays in the installation of Healy‘s scientific systems and restored the vessel’s full three-casing configuration.
Vigor Marine Group has a long history supporting the US Coast Guard, whether in Portland, Seattle, or the formerly VMG-operated Ketchikan Shipyard. This represents the second maintenance availability VMG has completed on USCGC Healy, reinforcing its ongoing support of US Coast Guard fleet readiness and Arctic mission operations. This work demonstrates the depth of knowledge and capabilities across VMG shipyards, which are industry leaders in supporting complex maintenance and modernization availabilities.
In addition to USCGC Healy, USCGC Polar Star is also nearing completion at the Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle, and additional work in Portland includes both USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USS Savannah (LCS-28).
