While taking pictures last weekend of the "Bristol Bay" in Sturgeon bay, I noticed a coastie walking over to me. I thought maybe I had done something wrong and was going to get shot or something but the smile on his face put me at ease. As he approached I noticed the large star on his collar, it turned out he was an Admiral visiting the station, way cool!!! He said he noticed my Air Force Vateran cap and just wanted to say hi. We were having a very nice chat so I threw the big question at him, "What is going to happen to the Mackinaw when she retires (now moved back a year to '06)???" He assured me that she was not going to scrapped and they had reduced the number of cities wanting her to 4. He wouldn't say which 4 cities were still in the running but he pretty much ruled out Cheboygen and Mackinaw City.

He did say that the new Mackinaw was going to have to fill some big britches and would have to prove itself before they would ever think of retiring 'Ol Mac. He remarked thet the new Ice Breaker was going to be "Big" and "Impressive".

Good news for all the Mackinaw fans out there!!

Way cool! I didn't even know there was a new one in the works. Thanks for the heads up!!

Jennifer, He said even though 1 ship will never replace the current Mackinaw when it comes to ice breaking, it is just to outdated and too expensive to operate. The new "Multi-purpose" cutters can perform various roles with much less operating costs and half the crew. Still the Mackinaw will be missed by civilians and the Coast Guard alike. She is "one-of-a-kind". Also besides losing the Mac, Charlevoix (sp) will also lose their beloved "USCGC AKACIA", the last of the 180 footers, simply because it will no longer be needed with the Multi-purpose role the new Mackinaw will perform. I just hope the Mackinaw stays in Michigan where she belongs when the sad day comes time to retire her. Come on Grand Haven, start the fund raisers now!!!!

That is some very interesting information, Digger. It's another case of being in the right place at the right time. I feel the Mackinaw will eventually be released through HL's Anchor Bay line.

Bob

At last report, the new mackinaw is scheduled to be completed and start sea trials sometime in 2005.

No doubt the mission and the advances of technology and ship-building require an update on the 'Mackinaw'.

But the 'original' was and is a beauty. I preferred the original white hull. It was just one of the coolest profiles on the Great Lakes.

Painted red, it sure stands out, but I guess it's just what you grew up remembering. Maybe whoever ends up with it will paint it white -- back to the 'glory days'.

Old timers to these formums aren't surprised at the news of the 'new Mackinaw' They got this news in January 1999 from Todd Shorkey\'s news flash

St. Tim posted pictures of the RED Mackinaw at Cheboygan and We\'ve talked about an Anchor Bay version as well in 1998

If you happen to be in Marinette, WI you can get a sneek peek at the new "MAC". It is currently sitting next to the Staten Island Ferry being built in the large building facing the highway next to the river. The Coastie I was talking to was right. It is very Large!