US Coast Guard to accompany Mackinac race fleet

by Event media on 8 Jul 2008 Today, Chicago Yacht Club announced that two United States Coast Guard cutters will accompany a fleet of over 400 boats during the 100th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Lands' End Business Outfitters. 2008 marks the 100th running of 'the Mac,' the world's longest annual freshwater sailing distance race, which will leave Chicago's lakefront on July 19, 2008.

As in prior years, CGC Mackinaw will accompany the fleet to Mackinac Island. Commissioned in 2006, Cutter Mackinaw is the second Great Lakes Cutter to be so named. She is the largest Coast Guard Cutter serving on the Great Lakes and is designed to support all Coast Guard missions, including aids to navigation, icebreaking and law enforcement. Cutter Mackinaw is 240 feet in length, and carries nine offices and forty-seven crew members. Mackinaw or her predecessor have accompanied the Mac fleet for decades.

This year, CGC Mobile Bay will also accompany the record-breaking fleet. Commissioned in 1978, Cutter Mobile Bay serves as an icebreaker during the winter months. She performs a variety of Coast Guard missions, including servicing aids to navigation in the spring and fall, and search and rescue and law enforcement, during the summer months. Cutter Mobile Bay is 140 feet in length, and carries three offices and fourteen crew members.

'We are absolutely delighted to have the United States Coast Guard as part of the 100th Race,' Greg Miarecki, chairman of the Mackinac Committee, remarked. 'Skippers and crews alike value the Coast Guard's participation in this event. Especially in challenging conditions, it is good to know that our Coast Guard friends are keeping an eye on us. We look forward to having Cutters Mackinaw and Mobile Bay with us again this year, before, during, and after the Race.' Miarecki added.

Commander Scott Smith, the skipper of Cutter Mackinaw, will provide a pre-Race safety briefing at the traditional skippers' meeting, held on Friday, July 18 at 1700 hours. Commander Scott Smith remarked 'While we are looking forward to the challenges and excitement a race like this one delivers, the safety and welfare of the race crews will be the focus of the entire team of Coast Guard units ready to assist. Although the Cutters Mackinaw and Mobile Bay will be escorting the fleet northward, Air Station Traverse City and CG Auxiliary will be providing air support and the Coast Guard Stations along the race route stand ready to assist as well.'

Chicago Yacht Club looks forward to staging a world-class, 'once in a lifetime' race for skippers and crews. Should you have any questions or concerns about participating in this historic running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, please contact Amanda Platt, Race Coordinator at 312.861.7777 or at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org.

About The Chicago Yacht Club: The Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Today, the club boasts a membership of nearly 1500 boating enthusiasts, and is one of the preeminent organizers of regattas, races and predicted-log events in the United States. The club offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities, including fine dining and full-service catering at both its Monroe and Belmont stations.

About Lands' End: Established in 1963, on the promise of delivering high-quality merchandise at a great value, Lands' End® offers a complete line of clothing and accessories for women, men, children and infants and an innovative collection of fine-quality goods for the home. Lands' End Business Outfitters designs unique uniform programs that offer employees individual choices and helps build the brands of companies of all sizes, including hundreds of Fortune 1,000 companies. And, all Lands' End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.®