Congress finally approved both a polar and another Great Lakes icebreaker
If you have read this insipid blog long enough you know that I am a fan of icebreakers (the ships, not the chat-up) and bemoaned the long-running lack of such vessels in U.S. maritime service.
Well it seems Congress is finally doing something about it.
“A Coast Guard Icebreaker on patrol in the Antarctic, moves through the ice floe.” WAGB Southwind by Thomas Carr (ID# 87112) USCG Image. (Click to bigup, very nice image)
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 passed by voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 1, approving a bill the Senate passed in December. It now moves to President Barack Obama’s desk for a signature.
As part of the $1.9 billion included with the bill is money for a new polar icebreaker and one for the Great Lakes.
“This bipartisan bill authorizes the Coast Guard for two years and strengthens its ability to recapitalize an aging fleet of cutters and aircraft that are decades past their prime,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California.
Now hold your breath and wait for the ships to pop out, which may be a totally different thing altogether.