The Coast Guard’s largest ice-cutting vessel in Boston Harbor, the Pendant, is operational once again, thanks to some help from a few Massachusetts State Troopers.

The the 65-foot ice cutter was shelved in the Coast Guard’s Boston station Tuesday after a leak caused the tugboat to flood in Weymouth’s Fore River that morning. Thanks to state Troopers Pat Foley, Tony Vorias and Bobby Malloy, the Pendant was restored to full-strength by Wednesday afternoon.

 

 

Ice cutters are responsible for clearing a path for ships – some of which are carrying heating oil – as they approach port. With “no end in sight” – at least until the end of February – to this pattern of record-breaking snow and cold, the Pendant’s leak couldn’t have sprung at a worse time.

Water started rushing onboard the 50-year-old tugboat at a rate of about a half-gallon per minute at around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, Coast Guard public affairs officer Lt. Karen Kutkiewicz told the Patriot Ledger. Pendant crew members tried to plug the leak using pieces of wood, before setting course for the Boston Harbor station, the Patriot Ledger reports.

“This is the thickest ice we’ve had in 10 years,” Lt. Kutkiewicz told the Ledger.

 

With the Pendant on the shelf, the Coast Guard leaned on the “Marcus Hanna,” a Maine-based ice cutter, called in as a replacement.

 

Photo via @USCGNortheast

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