By Chris Winters

The Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker MACKINAW  WLBB 30 is side-launched into the Menomonee River at Marinette Marine on April 2, 2005. The “New Mack”–unlike her beloved WWII-era namesake and predecessor– is capable of buoy tending, law enforcement and interdiction, search and rescue, and environmental remediation response.

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 MACKINAW (WLBB-30) is the U.S. Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker on the Great Lakes. Her predecessor, CGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83), faithfully served throughout the Great Lakes for over 60 years.

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Chris Winters is a Trustee and Vice President of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, a well-known author and has been a photojournalist for over 25 years.  He and his cameras have enjoyed a privileged glimpse into the lives of merchant mariners aboard some of the Great Lakes best-known and best-loved vessels.