A condition assessment of "Polar Sea" in August 2016 indicated that only one out of six of the 1,200 system components were supportable for five years or more. Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Michel says the only choices for continuing the icebreaker missions are either restoring "Polar Star" while in service or reactivating "Polar Sea", at a to be determined cost; this estimate is due in early 2017, so at that time lawmakers will likely decide the ship's fate. In February 2017, it was stated that "Polar Sea" would not be refurbished due to high cost; instead, the icebreaker would be used as a "parts donor" for "Polar Star".