Multimedia Release: Healy, Renda transit to Nome

Editors Note: Please click on the below images to download video and high resolution photos.

BERING SEA — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Healy passes the tanker vessel Renda Friday as the tanker uses its propulsion to break through ice.

Direct assistance from the Healy allowed the Renda to continue transiting toward Nome with more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Benjamin Nocerini.

BERING SEA — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Healy clears a path through the ice in front of the tanker vessel Renda Friday.

The Renda is traveling with more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel to the city of Nome with the assistance of the Healy.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Seaman Benjamin Nocerini.

BERING SEA — The Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew breaks ice surrounding the Russian-flagged tanker Renda about 250 miles south of Nome, Alaska, Jan. 6, 2012.

The Renda is carrying more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel to be delivered to Nome.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Benjamin Nocerini.

BERING SEA — The Russian-flagged tanker Renda sits in the ice of the Bering Sea while the 420-foot Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks the ice around the tanker Jan. 6, 2012.

The cutter Healy and tanker Renda crews are about 250 miles south of Nome, Alaska.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Benjamin Nocerini.

The Healy and Renda are currently 190 miles south of Nome and are proceeding at approximately five knots. Sitnasuak Native Corporation of Nome signed a contract with Vitus Marine LLC to deliver 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products to Nome via Renda around the second week of January. If successful, this will mark the first time that petroleum products have been delivered by sea to a Western Alaskan community through ice covered waters. "This has been and continues to be a highly orchestrated effort between all stakeholders to ensure mission success" said Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, District 17 commander. "As we have done for more than 220 years, the Coast Guard is dedicated to ensuring the safe and secure transfer of maritime commerce. The Healy, our nation's only operating polar ice breaker, and its crew are committed to upholding our long history of service to the residents of Alaska."

Images and video posted to Coast Guard imagery database
Hourly images from the Coast Guard Cutter Healy

Related releases:

Coast Guard to enforce safety zones during fuel delivery to Nome

Video Release: Coast Guard icebreaker escorts tanker through Bering Sea ice

Photo Release: Coast Guard icebreaker escorts tanker through Bering Sea ice

Media Availability: Coast Guard media flight from Anchorage to Nome

Photo Release: Coast Guard icebreaker escorts tanker

Renda passes port state control exam, operation moves forward

Cutter Healy, Renda to bring aid to Nome

For more information visit Coast Guard District 17.

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