Photo Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard

The Bristol Bay is at work breaking along the Southern end of the Detroit River.

Click here for a Video of the Bristol Bay at work along the ST. Clair River.

The 140-foot Bay-class Cutters are used primarily for domestic ice breaking duties in the Northeast U.S. and Great Lakes. They are usually named after Bays along the United States coastline.

The Bristol Bay is named after a bay along the Bering Sea, formed by the Alaskan peninsula .

Using a low-pressure-air hull lubrication or bubbler system that forces air and water between the hull and ice reducing resistance. This system reduces horsepower requirements and dramatically improves icebreaking capabilities. The Cutter is designed to break 20 inches of hard, freshwater ice continuously with a "backing and ramming" thickness of more than 3 feet.

These state of the art icebreakers also perform Law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, Search & Rescue operations and support for Aids to Navigation Activities.

When working Aids to Navigation Activities, the vessels works with a 120 foot barge which carries a lift system along with the aids and their anchor systems.

Bristol Bay

(WTGB-102)

United States Coast Guard

Home Port: 9th Coast Guard District, Detroit, Michigan

Type:  Ice Breaker / Tug

Built:  1978

Engine Type:  (2) Diesel

Length:  140 ' - 0"

Beam: 37' - 6"

Displacement: 662 tons

Maximum Speed: 15 knots

Range: 4,000 nautical miles at cruising speed.

Ice Breaking Capability: 20-36"

Manufacturer: Tacoma Boatbuilding Co.

Primary Missions: Aids to Navigation, Law Enforcement,
Ice Operations, Search & Rescue  Pollution Response

Typical Crew: 17 Personnel (3 Officers, 14 Enlisted)

Armament: Two M60 Machine guns