The following comments have been provided by the USCG:
I. The plans for the Healy have changed as the result of science community input. Changes to facilities were presented to the FIC in July of '95 and are included in the UNOLS FLEET IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT OF JULY 20-21 1995. These changes included: the installation of a Multi-beam sonar system, the addition of a staging room, (an enclosed working deck area for protection against harsh environment adjacent to the CTD deployment area), a rearrangement of science spaces, increased area for climate controlled work and additional transducer wells. These changes are not acknowledged in the ARV Healy comparison.
II. In addition, changes in traditional USCG crew manning, maintenance facility organization and personnel rotation have been proposed for the icebreakers in order to increase crew experience and while reducing their numbers to make more room for science. While these changes have not yet been implemented they are currently under review by USCG leadership. This is a period of substantial change. The comparison of the quality of services to be provided on vessels which do not yet exist is simply not possible.
III. While the primary purpose of the USCG polar icebreakers is the support of U.S. polar science, the USCG icebreakers perform other valuable services as well. In addition, the reorganization of the icebreakers crews and maintenance facilities could significantly alter the number of days of operation supported each year. This makes limited cost comparisons of the ARV and the HEALY based only on science missions misleading and inappropriate.