The new Great Lakes Icebreaker (GLIB), named the MACKINAW, is designed to maintain floating navigational aids as well as icebreaking. Additionally, the vessel is responsible for search and rescue, marine environmental response, maritime law enforcement, national security and defense.
The vessels are double-ended steel ferries with a diesel electric propulsion system. Each vessel is designed to carry four thousand and four hundred (4,400) passengers and thirty (30) vehicles. There are five (5) passenger cabins on four (4) passenger decks. There are some outdoor passenger areas on all decks.
