Story
This anchor handling supply vessel was built in 2012 by North American Shipbuilding in Larose, LA.
Historical Notes
George Schneider (Email to Nauticapedia 04/07/2025) stated "The third Coast Guard vessel is the one I came to the harbor to see. She's the USCGC STORIS (WAGB 21). This is not the stout little icebreaking support vessel that served so well for almost 65 years. This vessel is new to the Coast Guard.
She was built in 2012 by and for the Chouest group, for charter to Royal Dutch Shell's oil explorations in the Arctic, which failed to materialize. Delays to the Coast Guard's replacement icebreaker program became significant, and in 2016 the Coast Guard began looking at the idle vessel, then named AIVIQ (1237683 / IMO 9579016) for possible charter. For 6 years the plan was in limbo, but in 2024 funding was sought to purchase the vessel. The Coast Guard is quick to point out that neither the funding nor her acquisition have any effect on the replacement program.
She underwent repainting and basic modifications at Tampa Ship before heading back to the West Coast, and still needs much work before she will be commissioned and operational."
Owners & Masters
In 2012-2024 she was owned by Offshore Service Vessels LLC (Chouest Group).
In 2024-2026 she was owned by the United States Coast Guard.
Name Significance
AIVIQ means Walrus in Inupiaq. STORIS is named after a long-lived Coast Guard vessel that preceded her (see Anecdotes).
Rebuilds
She was always ice-capable, so the 2024-25 mods were just to convert her for government service, removing her oilfield gear in the process.
References
- George Schneider (Email to Nauticapedia 04/07/2025)
- Merchant Vessels of the United States digital files (2012-2026)
- Professional Mariner Magazine, American Ship Review 2013, Pages 16-20
