Duluth Firefighters Visit U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw
April 5, 2009 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw made a trip to Duluth to assist in icebreaking operations in and around the Twin Ports. The 240 foot Mackinaw is not only a buoy tender, but one of its key roles is to break ice for the Great Lakes shipping industry. During the Mackinaw's visit, members of the Duluth Fire Department had a chance to tour the ship and see its firefighting capabilities. The Mackinaw has an on-board fire department which is fully equipped and ready to handle any emergency. Firefighter training is critical to the Mackinaw because when you're "at sea," the ship's firefighters are the "only game in town." In the picture, Duluth firefighters get a firsthand look at the Mackinaw's Engineering Control Center (ECC).
Photo courtesy of Ken Newhams-Duluth Shipping News
Editor's Note: I openly admit that I am one of the biggest fans of the U.S. Coast Guard and thanks to my friend Commander Kevin Wirth of the Duluth based cutter Alder, I was able to get a personal one on one tour of the Mackinaw. It is one very impressive ship! Special thanks to the ship's Commanding Officer, Commander Scott Smith, for a wonderful experience.
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