Mackinaw Second Contract Award

On 07 August 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded The GBS Group a contract to perform maintenance and support of the Integrated Power System (IPS) for the USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB 30).  The contract covers a base year plus four option years and follows a previous 5 year contract that GBS was awarded for Mackinaw in 2018.  

Under this new contract, GBS will continue to be the USCGC MACKINAW’s Integrated Power System (IPS) service provider. The IPS consists of two 450V Ship’s Service Switchboards and one Propulsion 4160 Switchboard, over two hundred motor controllers, power panels, 4160 transformers, Motor Generator sets and Bow Thruster drive equipment.  In addition, the contract includes a major USCG Shore Side element where GBS will continue to maintain equipment at the USCG base at Cheboygan, Michigan to include Switchboards, Transformers, Shore Power Bunkers, and their Load Bank. 

Annually, GBS and its OEM team members will inspect, test, and sustain the ship’s IPS and related shore base equipment. GBS will also provide 24/7 support for technical services and as well as configuration record keeping for all related equipment and software.

Commissioned in 2006, Mackinaw became the largest United States Coast Guard Cutter on the Great Lakes. In addition to her ice-breaking duties, the Mackinaw also serves as an Aids to Navigation ship, able to perform the same duties as the Seagoing Buoy Tenders (WLB) of the Coast Guard fleet. Further, she can conduct law enforcement and search and rescue missions and can deploy an oil skimming system to respond to oil spill situations and environmental responses.