December 20, 2013
Sarnia, Ontario – The Canadian Coast Guard in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police have an important safety message for all ice surface users in the vicinity of icebreaking operations and shipping routes in the Great Lakes.
Broken and fragmented icy tracks left behind by icebreaking operations and other ship traffic may not freeze over immediately. Newly fallen snow may obscure icebreaker and ship tracks and changes in weather contribute to unsafe ice conditions that may remain long after the ships have left the area. All ice on or near the planned shipping routes and icebreaking operations should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits through these routes. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are advising everyone to stay clear of these areas.
Icebreaking operations are currently underway in various areas of the Great Lakes. The following areas will see icebreaking activity in the near future:
- Icebreaking operations may begin as early as December 20, 2013 in Serpent Harbour – Whitefish River area in the North Channel of Lake Huron. The USCG Cutter Biscayne Bay will be escorting the M/V Alpena into this location on Saturday December 21, 2013.
- Icebreaking operations may begin on December 24, 2013 in the Midland Bay area and may be repeated on December 31, 2013. The Canadian Coast Guard or the United States Coast Guard will be providing icebreaking assistance to the bulk carrier MV Frontenac.
Public service announcements made prior to impending icebreaker and shipping activity are issued for the safety of all ice surface users, who can expect disrupted and unstable ice conditions related to icebreaking and shipping operations.
Dates and routes are subject to change with little or no notice due to weather, ice conditions, shipping schedules or other unexpected situations.
Please post and share with fellow ice surface users, so all surface users this winter may enjoy a safe winter season.
- Icebreaking operations and shipping traffic create broken and fragmented ice conditions that may not freeze immediately creating unstable ice conditions in the area.
- All ice in the vicinity of planned icebreaking operations and shipping activity should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits.
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For more information:
Canadian Coast Guard Communications
204–983–3776
Canadian Coast Guard Regional Operations Centre – Duty Officer
1–855–209–1976
OPP Contact
Provincial Constable David Hobson – Southern Georgian Bay OPP
(705) 733–5440
david.hobson@ontario.ca
