For Immediate Release
February 3, 2021
Contact: Angel Matson, Public Information Coordinator
(207) 992-4268
angel.matson@bangormaine.gov
U.S. Coast Guard Initiates Ice Breaking Operations on the Penobscot River in Bangor
U.S. Coast Guard Northeast Sector visited the City of Bangor on Wednesday.
Coast Guard crews arrived within City limits just after 1 pm, with three ice breaking vessels assigned to support Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (OPRENEW), the Coast Guard’s region-wide effort to assist communities like Bangor.
Crews aboard the 140-foot CGC Thunder Bay, 65-foot CGC Bridle, and 65-foot CGC Tackle all assisted in the effort to open the waters of the Penobscot River. This is done to allow the river to open earlier, aiding in the spring thaw, to avoiding flooding along the Kenduskeag Stream and other areas along the Penobscot River.
Bangor Fire Chief Tom Higgins said, “We appreciate the cooperation and support of the U.S. Coast Guard each year. We know how much the community enjoys seeing these vessels in the Penobscot, and it’s the culmination of many months of work with between the City and the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The homeport for the Thunder Bay and Tackle is the U.S. Coast Guard Station Rockland. The Bridle’s homeport is U.S. Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor.
###
The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 33,039 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For more information on City projects and news, see bangormaine.gov.