Soo Locks season has officially begun (updated)

While the Soo Locks opened on the U.S. side of the St. Mary's River at midnight last night, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that the first ship of the season entered the Poe Lock shortly before 10 a.m this morning.

"That ship is the Edwin H. Gott. Their passage through the locks signals the start of the 2015 navigation season," said Mark Gill, director of vessel traffic services for the US Coast Guard.

Gill said three ships are expected today, two upbound towards Lake Superior and one downbound toward the other Great Lakes.

Although eastern Lake Superior is currently recording about 90 percent ice-coverage, the ice isn't nearly as thick as it was last year, Gill said.

It is a much different scene than the start of the 2014 season, when heavy ice caused delays as Canadian icebreakers were called to assist the US Coast Guard to move the freighters in convoys.

"We don't expect to see any Canadian asset support until April," said Gill.

It is a reversal of fortune, as last year the St. Lawrence Seaway experienced more ideal conditions for their opening, while Lake Superior's opening of the shipping season was much more challenging.

"They have their own ice trouble so this year they demand their own icebreaking presence," he said.

"A delegation of city representatives will offer the traditional welcome to the first boat at the locks," the Detroit District of U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers said via Facebook.

(PHOTO: Loyal reader Jorma sent in the above photo of the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinac working to clear shipping channels on Monday.)