USCGC MACKINAW

USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83) was a United States Coast Guard icebreaker commissioned in 1944 to facilitate year-round navigation on the Great Lakes during World War II. Built in Toledo, Ohio, she was specifically designed to break thick freshwater ice and ensure the movement of vital war materials. MACKINAW served for over 60 years, playing a critical role in extending the shipping season and providing search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental response capabilities. Decommissioned in 2006, she was replaced by a modern cutter of the same name and now serves as a museum ship in Mackinaw City, Michigan.