Maine-based Coast Guard Cutter arrives in Detroit

January 20, 2012

CLEVELAND ― The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay, a 140-foot ice breaking tug normally homeported in Rockland, Maine, is scheduled to arrive in Detroit and moor near Cobo Hall on Friday in support of the Coast Guard’s 2011-12 domestic ice breaking mission and a security zone for the 24th Annual North American Auto Show.

The cutter Thunder Bay’s crew has been temporarily assigned to the Great Lakes during the 2011-12 ice breaking season, augmenting the 9th Coast Guard District’s ice breaking fleet as part of the largest domestic ice breaking operations in the country.

“This has been an adventure since leaving Rockland in late November,” said Lt. Jerry Smith, commanding officer of cutter Thunder Bay. “We arrived in out temporary homeport of Cleveland after traveling 1,700 nautical miles. The trip took 14 days and was quite a journey. Once we started operating we learned that the Great Lakes are unique and special. This deployment is something the crew will remember for their entire careers.”

The cutter Thunder Bay will be available for free tours on Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Read the full story: http://www.d9.uscgnews.com/go/doc/443/1282355/