WHITEFISH BAY — There are 18 freighters trapped in ice in the Whitefish Bay area, said the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Canadian Coast Guard said it has deployed additional Coast Guard resources to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, to ensure that Canadian products, resources and agricultural goods get shipped to market.
"The Canadian Coast Guard is working in concert with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to ensure that both Canadian and American vessels are able to travel safely through this major marine transportation corridor," said the Coast Guard in a message to NorthernLife.ca. "Ships need to be escorted through Whitefish Bay on eastern Lake Superior between Michigan and Ontario.
"The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley and USCG ships are hard at work creating tracks through the ice. Once those tracks are established then direct escorts through these very challenging ice conditions will be made, and the ships can get underway to various locations throughout Lake Superior and towards the St Marys River.
"The powerful Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, CCGS Pierre Radisson, has been deployed to assist in this icebreaking mission. CCGS Pierre Radisson, home-ported in Quebec City, is expected to arrive on Lake Superior this afternoon."
Original story
WHITEFISH BAY — Eight lake freighters remained beset in the Whitefish Bay area as of yesterday afternoon, Village Media is reporting.
Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers continue working to clear a safe path for the ships to pass.
"The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley and U.S. Coast Guard ships are hard at work creating tracks through the ice. Once those tracks are established, then direct escorts through these very challenging ice conditions will be made, and the ships can get underway to various locations throughout Lake Superior and towards the St. Marys River," said Carol Launderville, communications officer for Canadian Coast Guard.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Pierre Radisson has been deployed to assist in this icebreaking mission, and was expected to arrive yesterday.
