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.

  • pelespiritOPMEnglish
    2·
    3 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.