Office of Cutter Forces

Aircraft, Boats, and Cutters: Cutters

140-foot Icebreaking Tug (WTGB) - Bay Class

CGC Morro Bay The 140-foot Bay-class Cutters are state of the art icebreakers used primarily for domestic ice breaking duties. They are named after American Bays and are stationed mainly in Northeast U.S. and Great Lakes. 

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

140-foot WTGBs in Service:


  • BISCAYNE BAY (WTGB 104)  St. Ignace, MI
  • BRISTOL BAY* (WTGB 102)  Detroit, MI
  • KATMAI BAY (WTGB 101)  Sault Ste. Marie, MI
  • MOBILE BAY* (WTGB 103) Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • NEAH BAY (WTGB 105)  Cleveland, OH
  • MORRO BAY (WTGB 106) New London, CT
  • PENOBSCOT BAY (WTGB 107)  Bayonne, NJ
  • STURGEON BAY (WTGB 109)  Bayonne, NJ
  • THUNDER BAY (WTGB 108)  Rockland, ME

* BRISTOL BAY & MOBILE BAY are augmented by a 120' Aids to Navigation (ATON) barge.

Characteristics:

Number in Service: 8
Length: 140 ft
Beam: 37.5 ft
Displacement: 662 tons
Power Plant: 2 diesel engines
Commissioned: 1979-1988
CGC Bristol Bay
Last Modified 4/23/2009