Encl (1) to COMDTINST 16010.8
MOBILITY
Goal M5: Maintain the navigation season in ice-bound areas of the Great
Lakes where such service is in the national interest.
FY99 Target:
0% of designated critical waterways closed during the open
shipping season.
Measure: Percentage of critical waterways closed for more than 2 days if
winter is of average severity, or 8 days if winter is severe during the
open shipping season.
Measurement Issues: This is a new goal and measure added to reflect the
Coast Guard's contribution to Mobility from domestic ice breaking. Seven
waterways have been identified as critical to Great Lakes icebreaking
based on historical ice conditions, volume of traffic, and potential for
flooding. FY96 data indicates 0% of waterways were closed for more than 8
days (FY96 was a severe winter.) Data for FY96 reflects initial
measurement methodology; further data capture refinements will be
developed. Winter conditions are defined by a severity index (-6.2 or
milder defines average severity; more than -6.2 defines severe.) Data
obtained from the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers. It is
validated by program managers.
Selected Program Standards/Customer Service Standards:
Respond to requests from vessels beset or stranded in ice within 2 hours
of notification.
Relieve ice jams prior to water level exceeding flood stage with a
minimum notification of 24 hours.
Causal Factors to be Addressed:
Ice blockage reduces mobility and delays navigation.
Strategies to Achieve Target:
Ongoing Strategies:
Conduct icebreaking escorts of commercial vessels.
Establish and maintain ice-free tracks.
Free vessels beset in ice.
Efficiency Strategies:
Replace the aging buoy tender fleet with new vessels, providing
essential navigation services with less resources by leveraging
technology. Buoy tenders perform icebreaking as secondary missions.
Lay up the icebreaking tug MORRO BAY. Current workload does not justify
its operation in a highly constrained budget environment.
New Resources that will Support Strategies:
Acct
Item
Goal Contribution:
AC&I
Seagoing Buoy Tender (WLB) Replacement
Secondary
AC&I
Great Lakes Icebreaking
Primary
OE
Commission 1 Seagoing Buoy Tender
Secondary
External Factors:
Some sources of delay and disruption require action by other government
agencies.
Icebreaking performance is affected by ice thickness which is linked
to the severity of winter weather.
Other Related Government Programs:
Canadian Coast Guard: U.S. and Canada operate under a cooperative
agreement to meet icebreaking requirements in the Great Lakes and Saint
Lawrence Seaway.
Private sector: Very limited icebreaking capabilities provided by
commercial tugs at the request of carriers
PP-46
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