Lake Superior Ice Conditions Impact Shipping

THUNDER BAY – Cold weather has the United States Coast Guard working hard to keep shipping lanes open in the Soo. Sault Ste Marie is undergoing cold weather, and has several ships still working to go through the locks before they close up for the season. Heavy ice conditions on the lake have the United States Coast Guard doing duty to keep the shipping lanes open.

The USCG Icebreaker Mackinaw is tasked with the job.

USCG Mackinaw On The Job

The job is a constant one that requires a lot of effort on the part of the crew. Rangefinders are out on deck during icebreaking operations in the cold. The cold weather is a factor in the depth of the ice, but also takes a toll on the crew of ships and ice breakers too.

Follow the progress at Ship Tracking on NNL.

The Port of Thunder Bay saw the MV Saginaw depart on January 13th heading to Sault Ste Marie and down bound on the lake on January 13th.

The US Coast Guard is mandated to keep shipping lanes on the Great Lakes open. Ice conditions on the lakes, and at the Soo Locks have been a concern over recent days due to cold temperatures.