By David Helwig
SooToday.com
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

NEWS RELEASES

U.S. COAST GUARD

*********************
St. Mary's River ice breaking operations

The United States Coast Guard has started breaking ice in the lower St Mary's River in preparation for the 2006 shipping season.

By week’s end, ice breaking operations will extend from Whitefish Bay to Detour.

On the 17th of March, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw and Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley will be locked through to the upper St Marys River.

CGC Mackinaw will prepare tracks in Whitefish Bay and the upper river.

CCGS Samuel Risley will make their itsto Thunder Bay, Ontario to initiate the break out of that port.

The U.S. Coast Guard intends to break ice in the lower end of the West Neebish Channel from Mud Lake Junction Buoy to Sawmill Point beginning the 20th of March and will open the entire West Neebish Channel (above the Neebish Island Ferry Crossing) the 22nd of March.

U.S. Coast Guard officials are working with EUPTA officials to ensure the ferries are able to operate throughout the break-out process.

Recreational users of the ice should plan their activity carefully, use caution near the ice, and stay away from shipping channels.

**********************
Coast Guard waterway opening

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – In accordance with 33 CFR 165.901, Captain of the Port Sault Ste Marie will open the waters between St Ignace, Michigan and Mackinac Island, effective 1200 EST 17 March 2006.

The Coast Guard would like to remind all recreational ice users to plan their activity carefully, use caution near the ice, and stay away from shipping

**********************