Great Lakes Ice Cutters

[eorange]

Just read an article where this is the 2nd toughest ice breaking season in 11 years:

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/15873496/detail.html

What do these ice cutters use - VHF or HF? If HF, then which freqs?

 

[ctadam12]

We do not use HF, just VHF. 21A,23A.

 

[eorange]

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[CapnJon]

Actually, they're not called Ice Cutter's. They're Ice Breakers. But the news people keep saying "Ice Cutters". A "cutter" is the ship, but its always been called a Buoy Tender or an Ice Breaker.

 

[eorange]

The article did use those terms interchangeably. I knew about cutters in general, but I always wondered if a breaker was a formal class of ship. Thanks!

 

[CapnJon]

The red ones like the 2 Mackinaws are the ice breakers and the 140's are the ice breaking tugs. The black hulled ones are just the buoy tenders but can also break the ice.

 

[ctadam12]

The "new" Mac is the only Mackinaw on the lakes. Original Mackinaw has been decommissioned.