# Seriously...what could a person do with an old US Coast Guard icebreaker? **URL:** \ **Category:** For Sale & Wanted\ **Created:** [June 11, 2013, 9:36am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505 "2013-06-11T09:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 9:36am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/1 "2013-06-11T09:36:56Z")
[USCGC STORIS (WMEC-38) on the block at GSA Auctions](http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucdsclnk?sl=41QSCI13425001) ![](http://www.storismuseum.org/main%20menu/history/Resources/q1j.jpeg) I mean is there any conceivable use for such a vessel? I guess the folks who wanted her [to be a museum](http://www.storismuseum.org/index.html) were not able to get their plan together? I know for the government to donate a vessel to a non for profit, they have to see so much cash in the bank first. I think in the case for STORIS it was $200k which should have been doable one would think but we know that the group trying to save GLACIER fell on their face and the ship went to Brownsville. ---
**Author:** ![rshrew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/rshrew/32/107_2.png) [@rshrew](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rshrew)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 11:09am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/2 "2013-06-11T11:09:27Z")
> [@"c.captain"](#): > > [USCGC STORIS (WMEC-38) on the block at GSA Auctions](http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucdsclnk?sl=41QSCI13425001) > > I mean is there any conceivable use for such a vessel? I guess the folks who wanted her [to be a museum](http://www.storismuseum.org/index.html) were not able to get their plan together? I know for the government to donate a vessel to a non for profit, they have to see so much cash in the bank first. I think in the case for STORIS it was $200k which should have been doable one would think but we know that the group trying to save GLACIER fell on their face and the ship went to Brownsville. Maybe sea Shepard will snatch her up! ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/3 "2013-06-11T11:28:02Z")
Go broke, quickly. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 7:43am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/4 "2013-06-14T07:43:52Z")
now there’s a 120’ Torpedo Retriever in San Diego ![](http://gsaauctions.gov/lotimages/regn3/31QSCI13155001.JPG) Now there’s a vessel somebody could put to a good use…too bad I am broke! ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/5 "2013-06-15T05:06:02Z")
[QUOTE=c.captain;112255][USCGC STORIS (WMEC-38) on the block at GSA Auctions](http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucdsclnk?sl=41QSCI13425001) I mean is there any conceivable use for such a vessel?[/QUOTE] Ask Gilette; bet they could find a great use! The CG is notorious for not taking care of their own vessels. I don’t think I’d chance it regardless of price. ---
**Author:** ![john](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/john/32/5_2.png) [@john](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/john)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 9:12am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/6 "2013-06-15T09:12:45Z")
Do you get to keep her 25mm Bushmaster? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![salt\_n\_steel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/salt_n_steel/32/1367_2.png) [@salt\_n\_steel](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/salt_n_steel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/7 "2013-06-15T19:01:46Z")
> [@"catherder"](#): > > Ask Gilette; bet they could find a great use! > > The CG is notorious for not taking care of their own vessels. I don’t think I’d chance it regardless of price. About 15 years ago there were a few USCG bouy tenders up for sale / govt transfer ). I went aboard one (buttonwood?) I thought it was in pretty good shape. Anyone know of one privately owned? ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/8 "2013-06-15T20:36:11Z")
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;112602]About 15 years ago there were a few USCG bouy tenders up for sale / govt transfer ). I went aboard one (buttonwood?) I thought it was in pretty good shape. Anyone know of one privately owned?[/QUOTE] The Job Corp school at Tongue Point in Astoria has one and my recollection of it before they got it was that it was immaculate. I remember is sitting at Coastal Transportation’s dock for awhile. - - - Updated - - - [QUOTE=john;112584]Do you get to keep her 25mm Bushmaster? ;)[/QUOTE] …must be the STORIS you’re referring to and she probably had several along with 50cal Brownings as well. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/9 "2013-06-15T21:03:33Z")
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;112602]About 15 years ago there were a few USCG bouy tenders up for sale / govt transfer ). I went aboard one (buttonwood?) I thought it was in pretty good shape. Anyone know of one privately owned?[/QUOTE] A couple years ago a restaurant guy in Wisconsin bought an ice breaker that was too big to take out through the locks. He bought it from a museum that could not afford to keep her for just $100,000. The say she was in excellent condition. About five years ago a bouy tender was sold in Baltimore to guy that planned to use it as a fuel station in the Bahamas. I think it sold for around $300,000. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/10 "2013-06-15T21:11:21Z")
for a long time Marcon had a 180 bouytender for sale which was in Lake Huron I believe and had been in fresh water its whole life. Price was only $200k. ---
**Author:** ![water](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/water/32/131_2.png) [@water](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/water)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/11 "2013-06-15T22:50:20Z")
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;112602]Anyone know of one privately owned?[/QUOTE] Jeff Foster of Jeff Foster Trucking, Superior, WI, ended up purchasing the 180’ USCGC Sundew, and it is in the Duluth/Superior harbor. Interesting that it is there, as it was built in Duluth, MN. They have a Facebook page: [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sundew-US-Coast-Guard-Cutter-WLB-404/174843601019](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sundew-US-Coast-Guard-Cutter-WLB-404/174843601019) And an article: [http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/education/Retired-Cutter-Sundew-Still-Trains-New-Sailors-In-Duluth-125725133.html](http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/education/Retired-Cutter-Sundew-Still-Trains-New-Sailors-In-Duluth-125725133.html) Similar class USCGCs Sweetbrier and Woodrush are now part of the Ghana navy. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/12 "2013-06-16T03:22:02Z")
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;112602]About 15 years ago there were a few USCG bouy tenders up for sale / govt transfer ). I went aboard one (buttonwood?) I thought it was in pretty good shape. Anyone know of one privately owned?[/QUOTE] Maybe, but you should have been around for all the lulz when the Philippine Navy bought ex-DALLAS. A gazillion yuks a minute ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/13 "2013-06-16T04:13:29Z")
The CG has an interesting history of donating the things. > **[Federal Grant for a Medical Mission Goes Awry](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/13/business/13cutter.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)** > > A case of two Coast Guard cutters shows that earmarks to faith-based groups may not achieve their stated purpose. I remember seeing one docked at Colon around 2000 waiting for a convoy. Story is it had been donated to a non-profit in California. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 7:35am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/14 "2013-06-16T07:35:10Z")
I’ve always liked the look of the RELIANCE class medium endurance cutters but when I ever see one up close the shell plating always appears to be badly washboarded like they are built of some very thin steel. Anyone here have any direct experience serving on these vessels? ![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/USCGC_Courageous_WMEC-622.jpg/640px-USCGC_Courageous_WMEC-622.jpg) One thing for sure is that with budgets being what they are, the USCG won’t be disposing of any more of these anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/15 "2013-06-16T07:47:27Z")
[QUOTE=Steamer;112622]The CG has an interesting history of donating the things. I remember seeing one docked at Colon around 2000 waiting for a convoy. Story is it had been donated to a non-profit in California.[/QUOTE] [Friendships](http://www.friendships.org/default.htm) in Lake Charles has two of the ex 180’ers which they use for humanitarian missions. ![](http://www.friendships.org/WebPics_2006/HaitiGALLERY_Hope_Sailing_0986_A.jpg) They changed their website and it doesn’t highlight their vessels but they used to have one of my old ships, the very antique MV PEMBINA but sadly something happened where they couldn’t use her anymore and sold her for scrap. She got cut up at ESCO about two years ago very sadly because to my knowledge she as the last all original C1-M-AV1 still surviving. ![](http://www.friendships.org/Fishing_pics/fishingPICs01.jpg) I see they also have a cadet program now which is interesting but I imagine very heavily steeped in religion which is unfortunate yet I wonder if the graduates get valid seatime for completing the program? ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:55am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/16 "2013-06-16T10:55:41Z")
I turned down a job on the Pembina many years ago. They were hauling old ammo as I recall. A friend took the job and said it was truly an experience. The last time I saw the thing it was sitting at the Coastal dock waiting to be called for a higher (and tax exempt) cause … I think you are right about the last uncut example, it still had the gun tubs. I took a bunch of photos, will have to look for them. ---
**Author:** ![Sea\_Opus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Sea\_Opus](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Sea_Opus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 11:03am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/17 "2013-06-16T11:03:26Z")
I believe she and the Evergreen were used extensively for oceanographic research. That can be a bit of challenge in this day and age. I’m pretty sure she’s single screw, and diesel electric at that. Spare parts for the drive might be problematic. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/18 "2013-06-16T11:18:41Z")
[QUOTE=Steamer;112635]I turned down a job on the Pembina many years ago. They were hauling old ammo as I recall. A friend took the job and said it was truly an experience. The last time I saw the thing it was sitting at the Coastal dock waiting to be called for a higher (and tax exempt) cause … I think you are right about the last uncut example, it still had the gun tubs. I took a bunch of photos, will have to look for them.[/QUOTE] Hell she was a blast to work on (pun intended!) Pay abysmally low, living conditions appalling, machinery which barely ran but getting to spend weeks on end in West Loch watching the Navee load and unload bombs at a slug’s pace. Once I have 5 weeks there so bought a $300 Ford Fairmont up at Waipahu that was more rust than steel and drank heavily the whole time from the Kona side of Oahu to the Ewa. Nobody gave a shit about anything on there. Loaded the car on the #3 hatch when it was time to leave in a ratty old cargo net and then used it to drink heavily in Alameda and Oakland. Ester’s Orbit Lounge was a favorite of ours! Ah memories of seafaring long past and gone into the mists of happier, albeit much lower paying times. ---
**Author:** ![Sea\_Opus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Sea\_Opus](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Sea_Opus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 11:19am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/19 "2013-06-16T11:19:04Z")
Never sailed on 'em, but I am intimately familiar with them. The Reliance class underwent a major service life extension in the late '80s-early '90s. The hull plating was replaced to meet original mil-spec. The entire interior was completely stripped out, right down to the keel. The engine room, electrical, piping, quarters, everything was replaced brand new. They used to have stern exhaust, but as you can see in the picture, that too was replaced. One of the reasons they always looked stoved in, was that they were regularly sent out on search and rescue in the shittiest sea conditions… but always came back. ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505/20 "2013-06-16T14:49:08Z")
[QUOTE=c.captain;112638]Hell she was a blast to work on (pun intended!)…[/QUOTE] I sometimes get a little twinge and wonder about not taking that job. I kind of look at it like sailing on the OP, one of those things you just have to do because there isn’t anything else like it in the world and no matter how miserable it might have been I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything … not that I care to repeat it anytime soon. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/seriously-what-could-a-person-do-with-an-old-us-coast-guard-icebreaker/10505.md?page=2)