Ice conditions around Chambers Island near Door County provided ideal research opportunities that will benefit the design and construction of the next generation of ice-breaking ships.  The U.S. Coast Guard  Cutter Mackinaw conducted several days of research to test the ship's responses to varying ice conditions on Lake Michigan.  Kristen Serumgaard, Commander of the Mackinaw, says the late-season ice pack was ideal for such testing.


 

Commander Serumgaard says the Mackinaw's rudderless, variable twin-engine response will help with future cutter designs.

 

The cutter Mackinaw conducted those tests just over a week before opening shipping channels on Green Bay and the Sturgeon Bay ship canal.