Posted:
March 25, 2010
Ice conditions at Port Huron and on the St. Clair River over the last week have again demonstrated the need for an additional heavy icebreaker to service Great Lakes shipping channels.
Over the weekend, the majority of the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking group that had been working on the St. Clair River, including the Mackinaw, was assigned to the St. Marys River and Lake Superior for the opening of the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Winds across lower Lake Huron shifted to the north and pushed the deteriorating ice field into the Huron cut, delaying vessel movements and creating extremely dangerous navigational situations for Great Lakes vessels.
As of Wednesday, the ice had continued to move south and the St. Clair River was closed, with vessel transits permitted only with the individual permission of the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw, which has returned to the area with the Coast Guard icebreaking group. Night transits had been prohibited, as the icebreakers continued to work to clear the St. Clair.
"The Coast Guard is doing the best it can with the icebreaking assets it has, and the shipping community is grateful for this always crucial service," said AMO National Vice President for the Great Lakes Don Cree. "This situation speaks very clearly to the need for an additional icebreaker to service Great Lakes shipping channels.
"The House of Representatives approved the Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act last year, authorizing construction of a sister ship to the 240-foot Mackinaw, which was built in 2006," Cree said. "Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sponsored that bill and has consistently pushed for the construction of this vessel. There is support for the new icebreaker on Capitol Hill, but the legislation has yet to be approved by the Senate and the project will still require funding."
Arriving in lower Lake Huron Sunday morning, the Alpena was assisted by the tug Manitou in moving through the shifting ice field, which delayed the vessel for several hours. Inside the cut, the Edgar B. Speer and Presque Isle were blocked in by ice. The Bristol Bay came up from Detroit to assist, and after about seven treacherous hours, the tug Manitou and Salvor were also working with the Speer to facilitate a difficult passage. The Presque Isle waited until the following morning before attempting a transit with escort after being broken free of anchorage by pressure from the moving ice the previous day.
"AMO will continue to work with the Great Lakes Congressional delegation to see that the needed authorization and funding is secured for the new icebreaker so the dangerous and costly shipping situations we are now facing can be prevented in the future," Cree said.
Need for additional icebreaking capacity evident on Great Lakes
Ice conditions at Port Huron and on the St. Clair River over the last week have again demonstrated the need for an additional heavy icebreaker to service Great Lakes shipping channels.
Over the weekend, the majority of the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking group that had been working on the St. Clair River, including the Mackinaw, was assigned to the St. Marys River and Lake Superior for the opening of the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Winds across lower Lake Huron shifted to the north and pushed the deteriorating ice field into the Huron cut, delaying vessel movements and creating extremely dangerous navigational situations for Great Lakes vessels.
As of Wednesday, the ice had continued to move south and the St. Clair River was closed, with vessel transits permitted only with the individual permission of the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw, which has returned to the area with the Coast Guard icebreaking group. Night transits had been prohibited, as the icebreakers continued to work to clear the St. Clair.
"The Coast Guard is doing the best it can with the icebreaking assets it has, and the shipping community is grateful for this always crucial service," said AMO National Vice President for the Great Lakes Don Cree. "This situation speaks very clearly to the need for an additional icebreaker to service Great Lakes shipping channels.
"The House of Representatives approved the Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act last year, authorizing construction of a sister ship to the 240-foot Mackinaw, which was built in 2006," Cree said. "Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sponsored that bill and has consistently pushed for the construction of this vessel. There is support for the new icebreaker on Capitol Hill, but the legislation has yet to be approved by the Senate and the project will still require funding."
Arriving in lower Lake Huron Sunday morning, the Alpena was assisted by the tug Manitou in moving through the shifting ice field, which delayed the vessel for several hours. Inside the cut, the Edgar B. Speer and Presque Isle were blocked in by ice. The Bristol Bay came up from Detroit to assist, and after about seven treacherous hours, the tug Manitou and Salvor were also working with the Speer to facilitate a difficult passage. The Presque Isle waited until the following morning before attempting a transit with escort after being broken free of anchorage by pressure from the moving ice the previous day.
"AMO will continue to work with the Great Lakes Congressional delegation to see that the needed authorization and funding is secured for the new icebreaker so the dangerous and costly shipping situations we are now facing can be prevented in the future," Cree said.