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USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30)
Encyclopedia
USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30) is a 240 feet (73.2 m) vessel built as a heavy icebreaker
for operations on the North American Great Lakes
for the United States Coast Guard
. IMO number: 9271054. She should not be confused with a namesake ship, the USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
, IMO number: IMO 6119534, which was decommissioned on June 10, 2006.
Mackinaw was delivered to the Coast Guard on November 18, 2005 and commissioned on June 10, 2006. In addition to her ice-breaking duties, the Mackinaw will also serve as an Aids to Navigation ship, able to perform the same duties as the Seagoing Buoy Tenders
(WLB) of the Coast Guard fleet.
One of the Mackinaws unique features in the US Coast Guard fleet is the use of two Azipod
s, ABB's brand of electric azimuth thruster
s, for her main propulsion. These, coupled with a 550 hp bow thruster, make the ship exceptionally maneuverable. Azipods also remove the need for a traditional rudder, as the thrusters can turn 360 degrees around their vertical axis to direct their thrust in any direction. Because the Azipods can be controlled individually, the Mackinaw also lacks a traditional ship's steering wheel.
The Mackinaw got off to a rocky start before being commissioned. While en route to her new home port
of Cheboygan, Michigan
, the Mackinaw struck a seawall
in Grand Haven, Michigan
on December 12, 2005 while being piloted by the XO, LCDR Nathan A. Podoll. The accident caused a 10 feet (3 m) dent in the bow of the Mackinaw on her starboard side. Shortly after the accident, CAPT Donald Triner, the commanding officer of the Mackinaw, was temporarily relieved of duty pending an investigation into the accident. The accident did not delay the ship's scheduled arrival in her new home port; she arrived on December 17, 2005. Captain Triner was later permanently relieved of duty and replaced by CAPT Michael Hudson, who was replaced in turn by CDR John Little in April 2006. Most recently CDR Scott J. Smith assumed command in July 2008.
The Mackinaw can be seen and toured at Grand Haven's Coast Guard Festival
every summer. The ship was also featured on the television series Modern Marvels
.
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
for operations on the North American Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
for the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. IMO number: 9271054. She should not be confused with a namesake ship, the USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
USCGC Mackinaw was a vessel specifically designed for ice breaking duties on the Great Lakes. LR number: 6119534Mackinaws design was based on the Wind class of Coast Guard icebreakers, but the cutter was built wider and longer than the other Wind class vessels so that her draft would be shallower...
, IMO number: IMO 6119534, which was decommissioned on June 10, 2006.
Mackinaw was delivered to the Coast Guard on November 18, 2005 and commissioned on June 10, 2006. In addition to her ice-breaking duties, the Mackinaw will also serve as an Aids to Navigation ship, able to perform the same duties as the Seagoing Buoy Tenders
USCG Seagoing Buoy Tender
The Seagoing Buoy Tender is a type of U.S. Coast Guard cutter originally designed to service aids to navigation, throughout the waters of the United States, and wherever U.S. shipping interests require. The Coast Guard has maintained a fleet of seagoing buoy tenders dating back to its origins in...
(WLB) of the Coast Guard fleet.
One of the Mackinaws unique features in the US Coast Guard fleet is the use of two Azipod
Azipod
Azipod is the registered brand name of the ABB Group for their azimuth thruster. Originally developed in Finland jointly by Kvaerner Masa-Yards dockyards and ABB, these are marine propulsion units consisting of electrically driven propellers mounted on a steerable pod.The pod's propeller usually...
s, ABB's brand of electric azimuth thruster
Azimuth thruster
An azimuth thruster is a configuration of ship propellers placed in pods that can be rotated in any horizontal direction, making a rudder unnecessary...
s, for her main propulsion. These, coupled with a 550 hp bow thruster, make the ship exceptionally maneuverable. Azipods also remove the need for a traditional rudder, as the thrusters can turn 360 degrees around their vertical axis to direct their thrust in any direction. Because the Azipods can be controlled individually, the Mackinaw also lacks a traditional ship's steering wheel.
The Mackinaw got off to a rocky start before being commissioned. While en route to her new home port
Home port
A vessel's home port is the port at which it is based, which may not be the same as its port of registry shown on its registration documents and lettered on the stern of the ship's hull...
of Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,295. It is the county seat of Cheboygan County....
, the Mackinaw struck a seawall
Seawall
A seawall is a form of coastal defence constructed where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The purpose of a seawall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation and leisure activities from the action of tides and waves...
in Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand Haven had a population of 10,412. It is part of the...
on December 12, 2005 while being piloted by the XO, LCDR Nathan A. Podoll. The accident caused a 10 feet (3 m) dent in the bow of the Mackinaw on her starboard side. Shortly after the accident, CAPT Donald Triner, the commanding officer of the Mackinaw, was temporarily relieved of duty pending an investigation into the accident. The accident did not delay the ship's scheduled arrival in her new home port; she arrived on December 17, 2005. Captain Triner was later permanently relieved of duty and replaced by CAPT Michael Hudson, who was replaced in turn by CDR John Little in April 2006. Most recently CDR Scott J. Smith assumed command in July 2008.
The Mackinaw can be seen and toured at Grand Haven's Coast Guard Festival
Coast Guard Festival
Coast Guard Festival is a festival in Grand Haven, Michigan. Founded in 1924, the festival is a ten-day event that starts in the last weekend in July, and ends in early August. Over 350,000 people attend the festival, including the nation's highest-ranking United States Coast Guard dignitaries from...
every summer. The ship was also featured on the television series Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels is a documentary television series that premiered on January 1, 1995 on History. The program focuses on how technologies affect and are used in today's society....
.