Boatnerd News – April 10, 2023

Coast Guard ends Operation Taconite

Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie concluded Operation Taconite this evening. What ice remains rapidly deteriorates, posing no hindrance to commercial navigation.

Operation Taconite is the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, encompassing Lake
Superior, St. Mary’s River, the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and the northern portion of Lake Huron.

In the 114 days (16 Dec-09 Apr) of the 2023 domestic icebreaking season, the nine ice assets assigned to
Sector Sault Sainte Marie provided 999 hours of icebreaking assistance to the benefit of 235 vessel transits;
24 of these movements required direct icebreaking assistance to ensure commercial vessel safety. These same icebreaking assets delivered an additional 1,416 hours of preventative icebreaking support to establish and maintain tracks in the ice hampered waterways of western Lake Superior, the St Marys River, Green Bay, and the Straits of Mackinac. It is estimated more than 4.5 million tons of dry bulk and liquid cargoes were assisted during the 114-day operational period. This translates to roughly $165 million US dollars of cargo
critical to power generation, industrial productivity, and public safety, assisted during the winter months.

USCG

Mark your calendars for Soo Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise

Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River during the annual Engineers’ Day weekend at Sault Ste. Marie June 29-30. Find details on both events here: https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/boatnerd-soo-gathering-june-29-30-2023/