Homeland Security Cutter - Icebreaker

Keeping America's Waterways Open and Safe: A New Generation of Icebreakers

America's waterways are vital to our economy, allowing the safe and efficient transport of goods and services year-round. From the bustling ports of New England to the Great Lakes, the United States depends on reliable maritime transportation. To ensure these vital waterways remain accessible and safe, even in the harshest winter conditions, the U.S. Coast Guard relies on a fleet of icebreakers. However, many of these vessels are past the end of their service life and in dire need of replacement.

Addressing an Urgent Need: The Light Icebreaker Replacement with ATON Capabilities

The Coast Guard is embarking on an ambitious program to modernize its icebreaker fleet with a new generation of vessels. This includes three different classes of icebreakers: Heavy, Medium, and Light. Of these, the Light Icebreakers are in the most critical need of replacement, especially for maintaining access to smaller ports and harbors.

The new Light Icebreakers will be equipped with Aids to Navigation (ATON) capabilities. This means they can perform vital tasks such as quickly restoring damaged or missing navigational aids after storms or accidents.

To address the urgent need for Light Icebreakers with ATON capabilities, the Coast Guard plans to build seven new Light Icebreakers. These new vessels will be designed to operate efficiently in a variety of ice conditions, providing safe passage and navigation for vessels of all sizes.

Expanding Capacity: Medium Icebreakers

In addition to the Light Icebreakers, the Coast Guard also recognizes the need to replace its aging Medium Icebreakers. The Coast Guard is planning for a total of 11 Medium Icebreakers. While primarily focused on icebreaking, these vessels will also contribute to overall maritime safety and security, particularly on the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coast, supporting a wider range of missions, including search and rescue.

Strengthening Icebreaking Capacity on the Great Lakes: Heavy Icebreakers

To address the unique challenges of ice navigation on the Great Lakes, particularly in severe winters, the Coast Guard is also proposing the construction of one additional Heavy Icebreaker. This additional Icebreaker will join the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, which is the current Great Lakes Heavy Icebreaker. Combined, these vessels will break through thick ice formations, ensuring that vital shipping channels remain open; assist vessels trapped in ice; clear the channel to keep commerce moving through the icy waterways; and mitigate ice jams and flooding, which will reduce the risk of damage to infrastructure and communities along the waterways.