Coast Guard Icebreaking Operations Underway from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron Including Georgian Bay, Ontario

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 22, 2014) - The Canadian Coast Guard, in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police, has an important safety message for all ice surface users near 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, the United States Coast Guard and Ontario Provincial Police are advising everyone to stay clear of these areas.

Icebreaking operations will be carried out in the following areas of the Great Lakes.

• Canadian Coast Guard and/or United States Coast Guard will be conducting icebreaking operations as they escort the MV Algomarine from Lake Michigan into Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay, where it will travel to Owen Sound for a winter lay-up. Operations for these areas are expected to take place on January 25 and 26, 2014.

Dates and routes are subject to change with little or no notice due to weather, ice conditions, shipping schedules or other unexpected situations.

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.

Please post and share with fellow ice surface users, so all surface users this winter may enjoy a safe winter season.

For broadcast

Seasonal icebreaking operations are currently underway in the Great Lakes. All ice near the planned shipping routes should be considered unsafe during and after icebreaking and shipping operations. The Canadian Coast Guard, the United States Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police are advising everyone to stay clear of these areas.

Quick Facts

• 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 near planned icebreaking operations and shipping activity should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits.
  
  

For more information about the Ontario Provincial Police, visit www.opp.ca.

For more information about the United States Coast Guard, visit http://www.uscg.mil/d9/.

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

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