Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Grants Pass man a Star rescuer Comment By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 4:47 PM By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 4:47 PM » Social News Lt. Prescott Trent Fuller of Grants Pass serves on the nation's most powerful icebreaker, the 399-foot-long Polar Star. And the crew of an Australian fishing boat called the Antarctic Chieftain were certainly glad the U.S. Coast Guard behemoth was in the same hemisphere earlier this month. The Polar Star, powered by 16 diesel engines generating 75,000 horsepower, blasted through over 100 miles of ice up to 15 feet thick before reaching the stricken vessel and towing it to safety. The Polar Star received a distress call shortly after finishing its icebreaking duties at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, hub of U.S. scientific activity in Antarctica. Fuller, a 2009 Grants Pass High grad, and the other 149 crew members, endured heavy seas, ice, snow and wind. Fuller is an engineer who oversees engines, electrical and other systems on the Seattle-based ship, said his father Steve Fuller, a fifth-grade teacher at Redwood Elementary. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., in 2013. It was his second trip to Antarctica since being assigned to the Polar Star. The big icebreaker normally doesn't do rescues. But it was close enough to help. "The situation was dire," said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Allyson Conroy, who told CNN the 207-foot Chieftain and at least some of its 27 crew faced the prospect of having to winter in the ice. "The seas of Antarctica are treacherous and unforgiving," Vice Adm. Charles Ray, commander of U.S. Coast Guard operations in the Pacific, said in a press release. "This incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of the U.S. icebreaker fleet as we see increased human activity in the polar regions." Because the Australian vessel had damaged three of its four propeller blades, it had to be towed through about 60 miles of sea ice into open water, breaking the tow rope three times. Once in open water, the ship was able to maneuver under its own power, and headed to New Zealand escorted by another fishing vessel. "There were some very happy sailors aboard Antarctic Chieftain upon our arrival," said Capt. Matthew Walker, commander of the Polar Star. Steve Fuller said his son talked to him and wife Robin briefly on satellite phone after the rescue, and they can communicate via email and Facebook. Via email, the young lieutenant described the power of the Polar Star: "The hull is 4 inches thick solid steel and is designed so that it has a pointed bow to split ice as we break it. When backing and ramming, the flat hull behind the bow is used to crush the ice with the weight of the ship. The POLAR STAR is the most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker in the world and continues to hold that title nearly 40 years after she was commissioned in 1976. "In this situation the Polar Star happened to be in the right place at the right time. I feel privileged to be able to help the Antarctic Chieftain with the rest of Polar Star's crew." Reach reporter Jeff Duewel at 541-474-3720 or [email protected] By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 4:47 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501