The past two winters have been tough ones for Great Lakes freighters, and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield, is pushing for a new heavy icebreaker to ease their springtime passages.
According to a release from Peters' office, he has sent a letter urging House and Senate congressional committees to authorize funding for a new heavy icebreaker.
"In 2006, the USCG took a positive step towards combating Great Lakes ice by launching a heavy icebreaker called the USCGC Mackinaw," Peters said in the release. "However, after nine years of severe wear and tear due to ever worsening winters, it is absolutely vital that Congress supplement this fleet by authorizing the construction of a second Mackinaw-sized, multi-mission icebreaking vessel."