NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
**************************
The safety of mariners is a top priority of the Canadian Coast Guard.
There is one commercial vessel safely at the dock at Midland Harbour awaiting icebreaker assistance.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Pierre Radisson, a medium icebreaker from Quebec City, attempted to create a track through the ice for this vessel.
However, constant winds from the northwest and below-average temperatures this past winter have created exceptionally large ice ridges in the area north of Hope Island. An ice specialist on board the Pierre Radisson estimates the ice thickness in this area at 6 metres (19.6 feet).
This creates safety issues for any commercial ship even when transiting behind an icebreaker.
Therefore the Coast Guard will return to the area for more icebreaking once conditions improve.
We will advise the public when the next icebreaking mission to Midland is scheduled.
The Canadian Coast Guard is committed to providing icebreaking support, ship escorts and ice management to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ships and goods in the Great Lakes. On the Great Lakes the Canadian Coast Guard has assisted commercial vessels 165 times so far this icebreaking season.
At all levels, the Canadian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guards work closely together and have developed a longstanding partnership to provide icebreaking services in the Great Lakes. Details on the Canadian/U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking partnership can be viewed here
CCGS Pierre Radisson is now heading to McGregor Bay on northeastern Manitoulin Island to break out the Lafarge cement dock for shipping.
**************************
