Parade of ships

Rare is the occasion when a vessel gets a second chance at another "sea life." There were serious considerations as to whether the (Motor Life Boat) MLB-44359 could be restored due to its abysmal condition when it was found.

The MLB-44 had been Coast Guard-built in Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1966, and had served extremely well in Muskegon, Michigan. After a stellar career ranging from 1966 to 1995, she was decommissioned (replaced by the 47 footers) and dry-docked permanently in Muskegon at the S.S. Silversides submarine exhibit. At that point, it was deemed scrap metal and not much more attention was paid to the vessel until the right set of eyes fell upon her.

When Ken Bennett found her in 2003 she was in "derelict condition" with symptoms that included a blown engine, a badly scratched hull and damaged upper deck. Ken, a former Coast Guard Boswain's Mate, knew the boat from stem to stern as he had served on the 44 during his 11-year Coast Guard career, and always kept the boat in mind as a potential "down-the-road" restoration project.

Stbd Side lView

Viewing the condition she was in, he knew that it would take a major influx of elbow grease to restore it to working condition. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that she had been "ridden hard and put away wet" (trashed), with little concern for badly needed repairs the last few years of her useful life. She had served her whole career out of Muskegon and on Lake Michigan, and had prevailed in many harrowing situations.

One of the more notable incidents had occurred when a large storm wreaked havoc on several moored construction barges. They were tethered to the ends and inner harbor entrance to the Muskegon pier head. The "44" braved 10- to 12-foot waves and rounded up the barges which were perilously beating into the pier heads and anything else around the channel. The MLB-44 and crew secured the barges, and also helped several sailboats safely return to their moorings. The sailboats were severed from their buoys by the force of the storm. It was only one of many long days for the adept vessel and its seaworthy crew.

Ken assembled a willing restoration team of Auxiliarists Brian Miller, Ron Grams, and Senior Chief John Anten (USCG Ret.) from the Grand Haven Flotilla 20-5. The restoration project was underway. The many tasks in the massive effort included a complete sand-blasting of the hull and the application of several coats of paint. It also included deck disassembly with upgrade and refitting of the upper deck. One new 6V53 Detroit diesel was installed while the deck was dismantled. The rub rails received an extensive anti-rust undercoating which took three weeks to complete.

Yardwork

One person also generously donated a new covering canvas. All told, the dedicated Auxiliarists spent over three and half years restoring the MLB-44 to its former glory! It was now fully outfitted (a fuel pump and new starter were the last items to be replaced), and just in time for the 2006 Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.

The MLB-44 proudly patrolled the Grand River channel during the festival and is now on a five year contract to the Auxiliary. It is outfitted for firefighting, de-watering of a waterlogged vessel, search and rescue exercises, towing, ice-breaking, life saving, and a myriad of other maritime assistance functions. It is also an excellent "Boot Camp" training asset. Ken Bennett added that "she runs flawlessly" and all in the Grand Haven flotilla look forward to their turn for sea time on the newly re-commissioned workhorse.

Special thanks go out to Randy and Dee Rottchaffer, the owners of the MLB-44359, for their selfless dedication to the Auxiliary. Randy has extensive experience with commercial tugs and similar vessels. When not on duty, the 44 is now moored at Port Sheldon, Michigan.

The specifications of the MLB-44359 are as follows: