Semper Paratus

Those who were at the 2005 Reunion got a preview of this one. Paul's new photo really brings "Big Mac" to life:




AB118 USCGC Mackinaw
290 ft. Icebreaker
Limited Edition of 4,000 with the red hull
SRP $99

For those who liked Big Mac in her original white colors will find a small limited number available.

There were several observations that the model shown at the reunion wasn't sitting low enough in the water. Looks like Harry took those observations to heart.

What's the edition size on the white hull version and what will be the price? What is going to be the price and will autoship dealers get both pieces? Also, what are the dimensions? I need to know width, height and length so I can start working on my glass cases.

You mentioned the white version so now give us the whole complete story for those of us that want both of them.

500 in the White Hull both are 5" high x 11" long. Paul can come in here with the exact hxwxd figures. Same price $99. Don't know if the white hulled ones will be numbered 1-500 or 4001-4500. Don't know if the white ones will autoship.

They make a nice pair. Thanks John.

Do you know what the expected arrival to dealers is? Itching to get my hands on these!

I definitely want this one. In what year was the color changed from white to red? And, like everyone else, I want to know when it comes out. Thanks!

I'm on AB autoship so I will probably try to get one of each color. Having one of each color should generate a few questions.

It will definitely be interesting to see if the 500 white hull models sell out right away.

Bob

I agree the Mackinaw is a must have.
Since I collect the lower issue HL, the white one is a must.

just a few years ago as I recall. ButI've done several search requests on these Forums and can't find our discussion on that. I remember seeing it, just not able to locate it.

Anyone else?

I searched too, John. Also searched the USCG sites, and still haven't come up with it. Really curious.

After much research I believe the Mackinaw had her hull painted red in June 1998 while in the shipyards. The main reason for this is for visibility while working in the ice. The Polar Class Icebreakers(Polar Star and Polar Sea) were also painted red for the same rason.

On the forums, all you have to do is ask. Thanks, everybody, and to Rich for the info!

Rich,

You have aan amazing amount of information.

bobo

Went to red hull June 1998 according to this page from the CG Reserve magazine. (confirms Rich's thoughts)

This January 1999 article, 1998 Year In Review , from BoatNerd verifies the new paint job (about half way down the page).

Can you spot the boo-boo on this page ?

Yep!

Sure can! And it's a beaut!!

Well, how do you think that the Coast Guard has held their ships together for so long? Coats and coats of paint to hide the rust and holes in the hull. Actually, painting the Mackinaw red was because Sears had a sale on overstocked red paint that year and then in 2003 they had another sale on white paint. We bought the paint at half off and also got S&H Green Stamps to boot.

Geez, I hope they straighten out the crooked lettering on the production models. Does look better lower in the water though.

MIke

What does WAGB stand for? Sorry I can't spot the error on the page. Help!

I see the error and is a big one.

Hank

All CG cutters dessignations begin with a "W" ( goes back to WWII and a way to tell a CG ship from a Navy ship. Some of the designations can make sense and can be figured out - WHEC is a High Endurance Cutter, WMEC is Medium, WPB is a Patrol Boat. From here things get much more confusing.

Designations that end with a "B" seem to be ice breakers (except patrol boats . .). Designations that begin with "WL" seem to be buouy tenders. No real rhyme nor reason behind the lettering. I'm sure there is a logic, just can't find a justification.

The Navy system tends to be more straight forward and logical, but then again I have spent a little time with it. Ends with a "G" ,means guided missle; ends with a "N" means its a nuke. First letter or letters tells you what general class - "CV" is a carrier; "S" is a sub; "D" is a destroyer. One of my favorites, something that would be great for lighthousing - LCAC .

If the Mackinaw was painted "RED" in 1998 then how could this be a picture of the Mackinaw in 2003 painted "WHITE"?

Okay, I'll bite, how is LCAC a great designation for lighthousing? I'm sure that's a dumb question, and you guys will let me know it, but I don't see the connection. Maybe because it can be pretty difficult to get to some lights? Like ALF at some of those hard to get to lights?

Grace, an LCAC is a Landing Craft Air Cushion in other words a hover craft. They just glide right up onto the shore. Also they can carry an M1 tank so if you want to carrying your car around with it would be no problem. Here is a website with some specs and a pic.

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=1500&ct=4

Sort of what I thought. I did read both articles but it took me a bit to make the connection - duh!! Thanks, Eric.

I think the LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) hover craft is a really awesome machine. and I'd love to take a ride on one some day. Reminds me of the land speeder in Star Wars only on water.

The Decommissioning Ceremony for the USCGC Mackinaw has been changed to Saturday, June 10 instead of Friday, June 9.

News from Dick Moehl is that it will be at 13:00 hours.

Who is planning to attend this event?

Well, WISHING I could attend!

I'm with Judy; sure wish I could be there!

The story below will run Monday May 1st in the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

By MIKE FORNES
Tribune Staff Writer

CHEBOYGAN — Perhaps the most historic day in Cheboygan’s maritime history has had a change of date.

The U.S. Coast Guard has moved the day of commissioning the new icebreaker Mackinaw and decommissioning the 61 year-old original Mackinaw from a Friday to a Saturday, establishing the official time and place as 1 p.m. on June 10 at Cheboygan’s Millard D. Olds Memorial Moorings.

“The change will better accommodate everyone who wants to attend,” said Cmdr. Joe McGuiness of the ship to be retired. “Senators and representatives from all Great Lakes States have been invited to attend. They’ll be in session during the week, so the change to Saturday will allow for their travel and make the event more available to anyone who wants to be here.”

McGuiness said that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, whose wife Jean christened the new Mackinaw in 2005 as its sponsor, would attend as may Adm. Thad Allen, new commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C.

“The 9th District will also be fully represented, I’m sure,” McGuiness continued. “We’ve had a tremendous response. Think of all the families and school children who will now be able to be here because they won’t miss work or classes. This will be a better date.”

The festivities, expected to last approximately 90 minutes, will be accompanied by all the formalities and fanfare of a change-of-command ceremony, a ship’s commissioning and a subsequent decommissioning — all rolled into one grand event. The U.S. Coast Guard Band, from New London, Conn., will be here to play.

“There will be three tents set up to handle all the people,” McGuiness said. “The main one will between the two ships to host the actual ceremony. Others will accommodate guests and serve as staging areas.”

The ceremonial retirement of the old ship and official beginning of the new one will include a march of the officers and crew from the decks of the original Mackinaw to the ceremony site, where they will join the ship’s company of the new Mackinaw. The official party of officers will be attired in their full dress whites, while others will wear a summer version of the dress blues worn when the new Mackinaw arrived here Dec. 17, McGuiness said.

Preparations are underway to arrange for off-site parking at locations on Cheboygan’s east side, with school buses potentially transporting passengers to the Coast Guard Station. McGuiness planned to meet Friday with Cmdr. John Little, skipper of the new Mac, to coordinate details as passed down from Washington with local logistics.

“How do you hold a decommissioning ceremony and a commissioning ceremony together?” McGuiness pondered, repeating the question as asked of him. “It’ll be a first. None of us have ever been to one before. This is all being planned out as we speak.”

Too bad they can't do something to help Judy and me get up there for this momentous occasion!

Oh, I'll be there in spirit.

I will have to do some digging on where I found this out.

The "AGB" in WAGB stand for Auxiliary Gun Boat. Not sure why the CG designated icebreakers as gun boats.

Coast Guard Designations

Sean

OK, I found my notes.

During WWII, the "AG" stood for Auxiliary Gunboat. The 180' buoy tenders were classified "WAGL". This stood for:

"W" - Coast Guard ship

"A" - Auxiliary

"G" - Gunboat

"L" - Load-bearing

"WAGB" stood for "Coast Guard Auxiliary Gunboat Breaker"

After WWII the 180' buoy tenders classification was changed from WAGL to WLB. The "LB" in WLB stands for "Load-bearing Big".

Thw "AGB" in WAGB changed from "Auxiliary Gunboat Breaker" to "Arctic Glacier Breaker"

The New USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB 30) as you can see, has a new designation. "WLBB" stands for, "Coast Guard Load-bearing Big Breaker".

I found all this on a website, but I failed to save it, or write down the URL. I was curious about the designations , a few years ago, when I found out the New MACKINAW was designated WLBB 30.

The Navy and The Coast Guard's most used designation is "WLCTAF"!

We're Lost, Call The AIR FORCE!!!!!

History of Coast Guard Icebreaking

Sean