Garinko 2
The Only Icebreaker with Drills

Date：02, Oct, 2015
Investigated and Written by Misaka Youhei
About our introductory articles

Tweet

What is your mighty vehicle? Well, I know there will be various answers like tankers, dumpers and jet fighters. Mine is the icebreakers. Some would guess why? However, boarding once can let you get it with several facts like those tight-calculated hulls for going ahead in the frozen sea, and their strong engines which support the cruising.

Now, it is not easy experiencing the icebreakers in Japan. Japan is not in the Frigid Zones and the Polar Regions. So the sea hardly gets frozen and almost needless are the iceboats. They are seen at the Maritime Self Defense Force and the Maritime Safety Agency, which we are usually difficult to board. Japanese have to go to Monbetsu, Hokkaido and board “Garinko 2” when would like to experience icebreakers.

“Garinko 2” is a red icebreaker for the floating ice sightseeing, produced by Yamanishi. The first manufactured by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding had worked until 1996. Instead, “Garinko 2,” improved on capacity, took the part in 1997 January and steadily guided us in the northern sea.

The most special is the Archimedian screws (spiral drills) that are said to go ahead as turning a screw. It means Garinko 2 can get a move on with just drills. Moreover, the unique icebreaker revolves without momentum. They say it is the only one with drills. Looks so marvelous, doesn’t it?

You can board for a temporary cruise in summer. Iceboats are supposed to exhibit their real characteristics at the frozen sea, however. We can board the Garinko 2 for seeing the floating ice from January to March. I promise trying once will make you fascinated at the strength.