According to the United States Coast Guard yesterday, the oil tanker "Renda," along with her escort, cutter "Healy," were 150 miles from the Northwestern city of Nome on Sunday. The vessels are slowed by thick ice, up to two feet thick and have been slowed to approximately five knots.

The tanker, hauling diesel and gasoline for the ice-bound arctic city, was contracted by the Sitnasuak Native Corporation to deliver the first ever mid-winter fuel drop off in the Bering Sea in the state’s history.

“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.”