A new heavy ice breaker on the Great Lakes is one step closer to becoming a reality with the passage of the national defense bill in the U.S. Senate. The final vote tally was 83-11.
If President Biden signs the bill in its current form, the U.S. Coast Guard will be authorized to seek funding for a new $350 million ice breaker that is as capable as the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw. A 140-foot ice breaking tug boat valued at $20 million is also included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
The bill would also create a public database to monitor the Coast Guard’s ice breaking operations during the winter and require Congressional oversight.
Right now, the Coast Guard is only required to track and report to Congress on four waterways during the winter on the Great Lakes, according to Eric Peace, Vice President of the Lake Carriers’ Association.
"This will be more transparent and an all encompassing to measure the entire Great Lakes as a system, which it needs to be," Peace told WCMU. "All of our ports are interdependent."
According to Peace, the new database will create a new level of transparency for the Great Lakes shipping industry.
During the first week of this year's Great Lakes shipping season, as many as 16 vessels were forced to stop on the ice due to strong winds on Whitefish Bay. Both the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards needed cutters to lead them to safety.
But incidents like these within the current system at the U.S. Coast Guard go under reported and do not count against the Coast Guard's performance in the Great Lakes, according to Peace.
"The Great Lakes Coast Guard does not have enough tools in its tool box to perform the mission, that's been a known situation," said Mark Gill, Director of Vessel Traffic Services for the U.S. Coast Guard at Sault Ste. Marie.
"The Coast Guard has been trying to tell its legislatures and its supporters that we accept a second hammer but if you really want to ask us what's needed in the tool box maybe we need a different type of screwdriver," said Gill.
Peace mentioned he’s optimistic the President will sign the bill into law.
Each year, 80 million tons of cargo valued at $6 billion goes through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.
