USCGCBristol Bay
 USCGCBristol Bay
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Bristol Bay |
| Namesake | Bristol Bay |
| Builder | Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. |
| Completed | 1978 |
| Commissioned | 1979 |
| Homeport | Detroit |
| Identification |
|
| Honors and awards | See Awards |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Bay-classtugboat |
| Displacement | 662 t (652 long tons) |
| Length | 42.7 m (140 ft) |
| Beam | 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in) |
| Draught | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) |
| Range |
|
| Complement | 3 officers and 14 enlisted |
| Armament | 2 ×M240 machine guns |
USCGCBristol Bay(WTGB-102)is the second vessel of theBay-classtugboatsbuilt in 1978 and operated by theUnited States Coast Guard.[1]The ship was named after the body of water formed by theAlaskan peninsula,which emptied into theBering Sea.[2]
Design
[edit]The 140-foot Bay-class tugboats are operated primarily for domesticice breakingduties. They are named after American bays and are stationed mainly in thenortheast United Statesand theGreat Lakes.
WTGBs use a low pressure air hull lubrication or bubbler system that forces air and water between the hull and ice. This system improves icebreaking capabilities by reducing resistance against the hull, reducinghorsepowerrequirements.
Construction and career
[edit]Bristol Baywas built by theTacoma Boatbuilding Co.,inTacoma,Washingtonin 1978. She wascommissionedinDetroit,1979.
In August 1991,Bristol Baybecame the first Bay-class tugboat to receive abargespecially designed to performaids to navigation work.The 120-foot (37 m) barge works with the ship to service more than 160 aids to navigation each year.
USCGCHollyhockandBristol Baywere deployed for ice breaking at theSt. Clair River,on 25 February 2019.[3]
On 3 February 2021,Bristol BayandCCGSGriffonwere both dispatched to break up ice at the St. Clair River.[4]On 25 January 2022,Bristol BayandCCGSSamuel Risleyfreed thelake freighterAssiniboioneafter the freighter was stuck in ice on the St. Clair River.[5][6]
Awards
[edit]- Coast Guard Unit Commendation
- Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
- Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Transportation 9-11 Ribbon
- Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
- Coast Guard Sea Service Medal
References
[edit]- ^"CGC BRISTOL BAY".atlanticarea.uscg.mil.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^"BRISTOL BAY History".atlanticarea.uscg.mil.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^Ervin, Jeremy."Breaking ice aboard the Hollyhock".Times Herald.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^Fitzgerald, Brian Wells and Laura."UPDATE: Two more icebreakers deployed to help relieve St. Clair River flooding".Times Herald.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^Barghouthi, Hani."Freighter freed from ice on St. Clair River as minor flood advisory continues".The Detroit News.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^"Coast Guard busy assisting ships in St. Clair River".BlackburnNews.25 January 2022.Retrieved4 February2022.
External links
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