USCGC Morro Bay is a Bay Class Icebreaker, Homeported in New London, CT. She is 140′ long, ans was built in 1981. She arrived Saturday for a visit, and will be departing tommorow, June 4th. Unlike Most USCG vessels visiting, she is tied up at Tall Ships Quay, and not at the dockyard.
Bay Class vessels are stationed mainly in Northeast U.S. and Great Lakes. Although specifically desinged for ice breaking duties, they also perform law enforcement, environmental protection, search & rescue operations and support for aids to navigation activities.
WTGBs use a low-pressure-air hull lubrication or bubbler system that forces air and water between the hull and ice. This system improves icebreaking capabilities by reducing resistance against the hull, reducing horsepower requirements.
