Good article, not only about Marinette but about the importance of boat safety. That's a biggie especially at this time of year. A love of lighthouses takes us into so many related areas. For one thing, I have learned a whole lot more about the Coast Guard. I knew nothing about the old Life Saving Stations either. Many of us have a love of the sea and of history, so lighthousing is a wonderful way to combine our interests.

Thats nice, because Marinette Marine isn't that far from where I live and often on the way when I go "up north". Its fun to stop by and see what they are building. Seeing the Staton Island Ferry there was a treat and seeing the new Mackinaw there was fantastic.

Suzanne, the Mackinaw will be in dry-dock at Sturgeon Bay for two months starting about August 12. Maybe you can see it there too.

I was planning on being in Sturgeon Bay the first weekend in August, but I may change my planns now and go later just to see the new Mac.

Mike

Mike, it was in Chicago last week....

Yea, I know but I wasn't.

Here's a Mackschedule for you, Mike

Cutter back in port after duties in yacht race

Thanks Judy.

And Dave, with construction the way it is around here, it's almost faster for me to drive the 225 miles to Strugeon Bay than the 30 some odd miles to downtown Chicago!

Mike

Mike, since you missed the race in Chicago, here's a neat report of how it went from the viewpoint of the Mack's captain, as reported by the Cheboygan News...
Mack saves lake bouy

It also includes a report of an incident involving an aid to navigation the New Mack was able to perform that wouldn't have been possible for the original Mack.

Cool story, Judy!

Has anybody been up to Sturgeon Bay to see the Mac there yet?

Mike

Good question Mike. If anyone has, can we see some pictures?

I only know the Mack arrived in Sturgeon Bay Aug. 7, and it will undergo dockside repairs before it goes into drydock.

One of the things being done at dockside is adding heating elements to the foc'sle. The bouy deck is already heated, so by doing this they'll have steady footing during ice season, and it's suppose to also add stability to the ship.

We also know that the famous dent is to be removed during this visit.

The ship will be back in Cheboygan sometime early October.

Judy

Thanks for the info on the Mac. I have GOT to tell my husband...so that we can take a trip up. Probably the easiest way that we're going to get to see the new Mac. Definitely take lots of photos. Very exciting news!

Here are 2 photos that I took of the ship that they apparantly are working on. It was very hard to get anywhere close to it. You will notice that it is also wrapped so that you can only see the hull and a few windows beneath the wrap.

We drove around trying to get a better shot...but this is the only opening that there was.

I managed to get the back view as we crossed the bridge.

It was an awesome looking ship! These photos don't do justice to the size or how sleek and fast-looking it really is!

Debbie, from the silhouette that appears to be the Navy's new Littoral Combat Ship . Freedom, LCS-1, was launched Sept 24.

Dave,

I am sure you're right. A buddy in Menominee confirms it.

Dan

That's what my husband thought also. But not being sure...I posted it under here anyway. Marinette...you know!
I thought some of you might be interested in it. Like I said it was awesome!

That is the new LCS for the navy. I work as armed security at marinette marine protecting that ship.The ship is not wraped with anything except the windows to pretect them of course. What looks like some kind of a wrap is actually aluminum.

http://www.lmlcsteam.com/

Hit that link for more info and a launch video.