MACKINAW CITY- The Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum received a $5,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation in support of an upcoming $30,000 study regarding facility improvements.
Museum executive director Marilyn McFarland said the study will determine the most economical way to install sewer and running water to the ship.
"It will be a comprehensive study of how to put all of that in", she said. "It's going to take a lot of engineering work on the ship and dock itself."
She added, "The integrity of the ship will not change. We'll just create a system to use what is already on board."
Built during World War II, the eight-story, 290 foot former US Coast Guard Cutter "Mackinaw" has had electricity ever since being decommissioned and docked in Mackinaw City in 2006. However, it has never had sewer or water. As a result the museum has been unable to provide its guest with overnight visits.
If they are able to install the sewer and water, McFarland expects the number of visitors to increase. Throughout 2007, the ship received about 15,000 guests. Her goal is to double that amount and to have at least 5,000 overnight guests per year.
