United States Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay, WTGB 104, at Station
St. Ignace.
The Biscayne Bay (WTGB 104), stationed in St.
Ignace, Michigan, was the fourth of the eight vessels in the Coast
Guard's 140 foot "Bay" class. WTGB is short for Coast Guard Icebreaking
Tug. WTGBs use a "bubbler system" which forces air and water between the
hull and improves the icebreaking capabilities by reducing resistance against
the hull.
The combination of the high torque motor andd bubbler
system, can move the Biscayne Bay through fresh water ice up to 20 inches
thick, and break ice up to 3 feet thick by ramming.
Built in Tacoma, Washington by Tacoma Boatbuilding, the
Biscayne Bay was commissioned on October 21, 1979. The primary missions
of the Biscayne Bay are domestic icebreaking, search & rescue, maritime
law enforcement, and public affairs.
Length... 140 feet Beam... 37.5
feet Draft (full)... 13 feet
Displacement (full)... 690 tons Range at
12 knots... 4000 nautical miles
Officers... 3 Crew... 14
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