Domestic Icebreaking Operations
Abstract
While domestic icebreaking operations may fall among the Coast Guard's less glamorous assignments, this mission is important for maritime mobility and supports our national transportation infrastructure. Operations include establishing and maintaining tracks (paths through the ice) in connecting waterways during the winter navigation season, escorting vessels to ensure their transit is not impeded by ice, freeing vessels that become beset, clearing/relieving ice jams, removing obstructions or hazards to navigation, and advising mariners of current ice and waterways conditions. This vital icebreaking mission is executed domestically by one heavy icebreaker, nine ice-breaking tugs, 11 small harbor tugs, and 12 ice-capable buoy-tending vessels. In addition to U.S. Coast Guard assets, the Canadian Coast Guard operates two icebreakers on the Great Lakes. The USCG and Canadian Coast Guard keep each other advised on the location and status of icebreaking facilities/assets and coordinate operations to keep critical waterways open for commerce. A cooperative agreement between our two nations allows the assets from one country to conduct icebreaking operations in the territorial waters of the other, as necessary. Along the East Coast, icebreaking generally occurs to facilitate deliveries of home heating oil, critical supplies in isolated communities, and ferry services in its busiest ports. The Coast Guard's domestic icebreaking mission is at a critical juncture. As many icebreaking assets -- specifically the 140- and 65-foot icebreaking tugs -- are at or past their designed service life, the Coast Guard is initiating a project to extend the service life of the 140-foot icebreaking tugs. Another vital component of the continued success of the domestic icebreaking program is sustaining professional relationships with commercial industry stakeholders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA552653
Entities
People
- Benjamin J Morgan