Analysis of the Performance of a 140-Foot Great Lakes Icebreaker: USCGC Katmai Bay

摘要

This report presents the results of the tests on the new U.S. Coast Guard 140-ft icebreaker Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) in the level plate ice and brash ice in Whitefish Bay and the St. Marys River. The results indicate that the vessel can penetrate 22 in. of level freshwater ice with 2-3 in. of snow cover. It can also penetrate up to 48 in. of brash ice in a continuous mode and at least 30 in. of plate ice by backing and ramming. The installed bubbler system decreased the required power of the vessel from 10 to 30% in brash ice and 25 to 35% in level ice. The low friction coating appears to be effective in decreasing the friction factor when it remains intact; when it peels off it appears to make conditions worse than plain paint. An average dynamic friction factor of 0.15 could be used over the entire hull for these tests. (Author)