Funding Approved For New Ice Cutter

Five million dollars is being appropriated for the research and design of a new Great Lakes icebreaker as part of the federal funding bill the President recently signed into law.

Senator Gary Peters said he pushed for and helped secure the funding, which will solidify the Coast Guard’s capability to carry out icebreaking assignments on the Great Lakes during winters with severe ice coverage.

“It is critical that members of the Coast Guard have access to the resources they need to do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible,” said Senator Peters. “I advocated for this funding because it will help provide our servicemembers with the proper equipment to complete icebreaking missions that help protect our economy, environment and coastal communities.”

Currently, the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is the only heavy icebreaker carrying out assignments in the Great Lakes.

This funding will help the Coast Guard complete the research and design phase for a new heavy Great Lakes icebreaker in order to enhance icebreaking capacity.