US Coast Guard Mackinaw Ice Breakers

(Satellite, home port)

WAGB-83 was built during WWII so that the iron ore, limestone and coal could continue to flow during the winter months. WLBB-30 was commissioned in 2006 to replace WAGB-83. These notes are about WLBB-30. See museum for notes about the WAG-83.

AtlanticArea
"The U.S. Coast Guard is required by law to maintain a heavy icebreaking capability on the Great Lakes to assist in keeping channels and harbors open to navigation in response to the reasonable demands of commerce to meet the winter shipping needs of industry. The CGC MAWCKINAW (WLBB-30) is the U.S. Coast Guard's only heavy icebreaker on the Great Lakes and was designed to provide multi-mission capabilities with state of the art systems. She carries on the proud legacy and tradition of her predecessor, CGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83), who faithfully served the maritime community throughout the Great Lakes for over 60 years."

mtu
"The USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30) was commissioned on June 10, 2006 to maintain large scale ice breaking abilities in the Great Lakes region.  WLBB-30 replaced its predecessor, USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83) who served the Great Lakes for over 60 years. It became the largest Coast Guard Cutter in the Great Lakes.  At a length of 240 feet, the Mackinaw can cut through 42 inches of solid ice and over 12 feet of brash ice.  The Cutter serves many purposes including buoy tending, domestic ice breaking, law enforcement, environmental response, aids to navigation, and search and rescue."

The 290' Mackinaw (WAGB 83) has been replaced by the 240' Mackinaw (WLBB 30) in 2005.

MightyMac-new-launch

MightyMac-new-shipyard
"Twin ABB Azipods (note cradle at left - a similar section at the bow grounded during launch)"
It was built in Marinette Marine's Wisconsin shipyard.

mtu
Each Azipod, which can rotate a full 360 degrees, can handle 4,500hp or 3.5mw. it also has a 500hp bow thruster. Propulsion and hotel power is generated by three turbocharged V-12 Cat 3612 engines driving Kato generators. "Due to the new technological advances, the ship is run by a very small crew of 50 members."

The new cutter is a jack of all trades (ice breaker, buoy tender, environmental response, law enforcement and search & rescue [mtu]). I don't know how good it is at the other trades, but I have seen statements that it is not good at breaking ice.

Nathan Wissner posted
Talk to the crew of the Mackinaw today no updates on when she will be up and running again.
Herm Klein: The "Minnie Mac" has been a disappointment since day one.
Pat Jehl: Herm Klein buoy tender.
Carson Foster: Pat Jehl if that.
Carson Foster: This boat has been plagued with problems right from the start. I think the American people should get their money back! Wonder if there’s a lemon law for ice breakers?
Pat Dillon: Carson Foster in the 15 years I've worked at Bay Ship she's been in for her 5year inspections that I know of.
Carson Foster: Pat Dillon I think most of her problems have been mechanical.
Steven Sternberg: We toured the old one, and was told it was better than the new one.
Mike Hegarty: Steven Sternberg old one had plenty of issues as well.
Pat Jehl: Mike Hegarty plenty of issues, but we always made it thru ice season.
Carson Foster: Steven Sternberg it is. They went on the cheap and tried to get a boat that would be an icebreaker AND do aids to navigation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do either, very well, especially ice work. They keep getting it stuck. The Canadians have to come and get it out. The old 185’s were better.

The Mighty Mac worked for 60 years. The Minnie Mac worked for about 20 years before we get to pay $350m for another icebreaker. [DetroitNews] The Minnie Mac has an availability issue. When it is available, can it break ice as well as the Mighty Mac could? I read that it has been stuck in ice and a Canadian ice breaker had to rescue it.