The older U.S.S. Polaris had been inactive for several years when renewed activity near Romulan Neutral Zone required the attention of the Federation's Ships Of The Line. The Polaris and several older, but functional, starships which had been retired, decommissioned and/or moth-balled, were reactivated to serve in support, piracy interdiction, rescue, and perimeter defense roles (Similar In Nature To The Coast Guard of Earth's 21st Century). 

A Shuttle Craft from the U.S.S. Enterprise, is seen here conducting an inspection fly by and delivering senior command staff to the newly recommissioned U.S.S. Polaris for Space Guard Operations.