New tugs on ice

摘要

Cleveland, Ohio-based Great Lakes Shipyard has received an order from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to build a pair of tugs for the authority's activities at the Niagara River ice boom in Buffalo, New York. Both tugs will be reinforced to cope with the territory's seasonal ice conditions and will feature heavy sterns to break through light ice formations. The 2,680m ice boom has been installed annually since 1964, to prevent build-ups of ice from Lake Erie from flowing into the lower gorges of the Niagara River, which can cause disruption to tour boats and docks as well as clog up the intakes of hydroelectric stations. The tugs' main role will be to assist with the removal, installation and maintenance of the boom, which is owned jointly by the NYPA and Ontario Power Generation.