The builder of the icebreaker Aiviq has given more than $7 million to political campaigns, parties and committees since 2012. Under pressure from Congress, the Coast Guard purchased the vessel late last year.

Reporting Highlights

  • Troubled History: The icebreaker Aiviq was built for oil work in the Arctic but has design issues. Its maiden voyage to Alaska ended in a rescue at sea and a Coast Guard investigation.
  • Influential Donor: The Aiviq’s Louisiana builder has made more than $7 million in political contributions since 2012. For much of that time, Edison Chouest sought to sell or lease the ship.
  • Wider Problem: The Coast Guard’s $125 million purchase of the Aiviq, made under congressional pressure, follows the service’s failure to get its preferred, $1 billion model built.

These highlights were written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

  • Clay_pidginEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Excellent reporting. I wish someone in the hearings could call out those donations live. “A good question from the Senator from Maryland, whose campaign took 400 thousand dollars in contributions from the owner of the ship mentioned.”

    • pelespiritOPMEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Propublica is the shit, they’re the only ones I consider old school and have real reporting. All the rest are 50/50 at best. This isn’t always the reporter’s fault, it could be the pubs release ai half-backed crap or the headline guy is on bribery uppers.