ROCKLAND, Maine — October 14, 2012 — Maine’s Coast Guard fleet hasn’t been stuck in port when rescue calls, law enforcement, oil spills and ice-breaking duties summon them to sea. But given the age of the fleet, that record could be in jeopardy.
“We’re still able to get the missions done,” said Lt. Nick Barrow of the Coast Guard’s Portland office.
But the Tackle, the 65-foot icebreaker tug based in Rockland, marked its 50th year in service this year. And next year, the 65-foot icebreakers Bridle, based in Southwest Harbor, and Shackle, based in South Portland, also will hit the half-century mark.
“They’re beyond their intended service life,” Barrow said.
The small icebreaker vessels — the Coast Guard also operates the 140-foot Thunder Bay, based in Rockland — are critical to Maine in late winter and early spring, he said. The 65-foot vessels are the only ones able to navigate upriver from the Richmond bridge on the Kennebec River.
Recent years haven’t seen heavy icing in the rivers, but if Maine has an especially cold winter, ice jams could cause serious flooding, Barrow said.
Though it is in the 20- to 25-year-old range, the 110-foot patrol vessel Jefferson Island, based in South Portland, is currently in drydock in Rockland for repairs.
“There’s some pretty significant pitting and hull intrusion,” Barrow said.
The Maine fleet also includes the 87-foot patrol vessel Moray, based in Jonesport. And each of the Coast Guard’s six rescue stations in Maine — Eastport, Jonesport, Southwest Harbor, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor and South Portland — have at least two smaller boats, 25-foot and 47-foot vessels, all newer.
Sector Northern New England has been able move vessels around to handle rescue calls and other duties, but the aging resources take their toll, Barrow said.
Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News