Canadian And U.S. Coast Guard End Icebreaking Season

(Photo courtesy of Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Saldivar. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay (WTGB 102) escorts Motor Vessel INDIANA HARBOR.)

Operation Coal Shovel began on January 15th and officially concluded on February 29th due to lack of ice coverage, complete waterway availability for commerce and forecasted spring warming.

Each year, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards join efforts to conduct wintertime search and rescue, minimize the potential for flooding, assist island residents with critical supplies and services, and ensure the safe movement of cargo on Great Lakes ships during winter months.

Operation Coal Shovel covers the St. Lawrence Seaway, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Detroit and St. Clair River System, and southern Lake Huron. U.S. Coast Guard cutters Bristol Bay, Neah Bay (WTGB 105) and Morro Bay (WTGB 106) were joined by the Canadian Coast Guard ships Samuel Risley and Griffon during this year’s operation.

U.S. cutters conducted more than 150 icebreaking hours and assisted vessels on 31 occasions.