STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Icebreaker operations are underway in Sturgeon Bay, as the U.S. Coast Guard clears the way for the Winter Fleet to set sail in the coming days.
On the frozen waters of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Channel, the Mackinaw is ready for action.
“This is the biggest U.S. Icebreaker on the Great Lakes, and she’s 240 feet long, 58 feet wide, and about 3,600 tons,” said Capt. John Stone, U.S. Coast Guard Mackinaw Commanding Officer.
On Friday, a crew of 56 eased away from the dock in Sturgeon Bay.
“She’s a ship without a rudder. Instead of standard propulsion, where you have a propeller and a rudder, she actually has what’s called azipods. Imagine two airplane propellers down below the water that pull the ship through the ice. You have full, 360-degree motion with these azipods, as you move, very maneuverable,” said Stone.
Stone tells FOX 11 the Mackinaw is breaking the ice on the waters of Green Bay, near Sherwood Point.
“They’ve been seeing upwards of two and a half to three feet of ice. Is that going to be hard for the Mack to get through? No sir. Why not. This ship is designed to break ice that thick, or even thicker.”
In about a week, 8 very large vessels from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s Winter Fleet are expected to leave after seasonal maintenance and repairs.
Mackinaw is making room by carving a big circle in the ice about eight football fields wide.
“We’ll make sure that’s broken up enough in order for a vessel of 1000-feet long, as well as some tug boats to get in there and maneuver the ship around.”
With a slow and steady pace. the Mackinaw appeared to be winning the battle, leaving winter in its wake.
“It’s just incredible how easily the ship slices through some thick ice. It’s really loud I would say, is the first thing that stands out to you, but it’s also beautiful,” said Lt. Carolyn Smith, U.S. Coast Guard.
The Mackinaw is based in Cheboygan, Michigan, but has its roots in Northeast Wisconsin. The vessel was built by Marinette Marine and was commissioned in 2006.
