The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SPAR began its largest domestic icebreaking operation on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to prevent newly formed ice from hindering commercial traffic.
Titled Operation Taconite, SPAR is assigned to manage the ice breaking needs to western Lake Superior. It is set to cover the twin ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. Additional icebreakers will be added as ice coverage expands.
The operation encompasses Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, the St. Mary’s River, the Straits of Mackinac and the Georgian Bay.
Some commercial waterways may close depending on how icebreaking affects the following factors:
Protection of the marine environment
- The need for cross-channel traffic, such as ferries
- The safety of the island residents who use naturally-formed ice bridges
Operation Taconite also places additional movement criteria on commercial vessels in the area of operation, including any of the following:
- Restricting tanker transits to daylight in the presence of ice
- Reducing speeds by 2 miles per hour in specified locations to reduce incidental ice breaking
- Requiring additional voice and position reporting points throughout the operation’s area of responsibility
The Coast Guard recommends all recreational ice users plan their activities carefully, use caution on the ice and stay clear from shipping channels.
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