USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) is a United States Coast Guard Cutter, and the lead ship of the Bay-class of icebreaking tugboats. At 140 ft (43 m), she is designed to have greater multi-mission capabilities than the 110' Calumet-class Harbor Tug (WYTM). She is homeported in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, operating in support of the much larger USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30).

USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101)
Photo of USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101)
USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB-101)
History
United States
BuilderTacoma Boatbuilding Company
Commissioned8 January 1979[1]
HomeportSault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and type140' Bay-class Icebreaking Tug (WTGB)
Displacement662 tons
Length140 ft (43 m)[1]
Beam37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)[1]
Draft12 ft (3.7 m)[1]
Installed power
  • 2 × 1,250 shp (930 kW) diesel engines Fairbanks Morse 8 1/8, 2 stroke 8 cylinder
  • 2 × 125 kW auxiliary generators Caterpillar 3306
PropulsionSingle 2500 shp D.C electric motor with single main propulsion shaft[1]
Speed14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph)[1]
Range7,413 km (4,606 mi)[1]
Complement3 Officers, 2 CPO, 12 Crew

Design

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Katmai Bay, namesake of an area of saltwater shoreline in the Katmai National Park and Preserve of Alaska, is the lead ship of a class of icebreaking tugboats designed to have greater multi-mission capabilities than the 110' Calumet-class Harbor Tug (WYTM). The most significant differences include greater horsepower, greater speed, longer range, increased ice-breaking capability, hull lubrication system, greater degree of automation, and better habitability.[1]

Trials were conducted in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, Michigan which determined that the ship has a tactical diameter of approximately three ship lengths when using 30 degrees rudder and that the ship could stop in 40 seconds with a reach of four ship lengths from an approach speed of 12.8 knots (23.7 km/h; 14.7 mph) when ordering full astern power. The ship can obtain a speed of 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph).[1]

 
Katmai Bay breaking ice

Deployment

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Katmai Bay is stationed at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.[2] She is helping the USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30) in ice breaking duties.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hunt, Robert R.; Hundley, Lowry L. (1979). "Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) Speed, Tactical, and Maneuvering Trials". Defence Technical Information Center. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  2. ^ "USCGC Katmai Bay (WTGB 101)". United States Coast Guard. 24 August 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie". U.S. Coast Guard Sector. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
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