The Mackinaw, the largest U.S Coast Guard cutter on the Great Lakes, is powered by three Caterpillar 3612 turbocharged V-12 engines.
It’s that power, said Midland Marina owner Bert DesRochers, that caused considerable damage to several of his docks.
“(That ship) has 10,000 horsepower,” he said. “The thrust on that is unbelievable, and the pod for the propeller ... rotates at 360 degrees. It’s not like your regular ship prop – it’s like a big fan.”
DesRochers said when the ship was leaving the area, it sucked the water out from under the ice, causing the ice to collapse.
“They hadn’t noticed when they were stuck at the dock that it just piled up all the docks down here. It took eight sections of our floating docks out and just tore them to pieces,” he said, noting the damage is estimated at around $100,000. “It wasn’t their fault…. (The ship) is so powerful that they didn’t realize the damage it was doing right next door.”
The Mackinaw was working in the area on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, breaking up the ice in Midland Bay to clear the way for a commercial vessel.
DesRochers said he is currently in talks with Transport Canada to pay for the damage.
“They aren’t denying it and will fix the docks,” he said. “It’s just one of those freaky accidents.”
Carol Launderville, communications officer for the Canadian Coast Guard, said she is unaware of an incident like this having occurred in the past.
“We were made aware of an incident that may have involved a U.S. icebreaker,” she said, “but I don’t have any more information about that.”
This isn’t the first time a coast guard vessel has left behind more than just broken ice, DesRochers said, noting more than 15 years ago, an icebreaker pushed ice into some of the marina’s pilings.
“This time there was major damage,” he said. “But they’re not hiding from it.”
nmillion@simcoe.com
