Ice breaking to begin soon on West Neebish Channel

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. COAST GUARD

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SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - Per  33 CFR 162.117, Vessel Traffic Service St Marys River will open the down bound West Neebish Channel of the St Marys River, effective 8 a.m. EST Mar. 24, 2017.

The ice breaking will begin at the north end of the channel near Nine Mile Point and continue south to Saw Mill Point. By day’s end, the West Neebish Channel in its entirety will be open to commercial navigation. 

Due to the deteriorating ice conditions, the US Coast Guard does not believe Neebish Island Ferry operations will be adversely impacted. 

However, Neebish Island residents should prepare for minor service interruptions. In the event of an emergency and ferry service is interrupted, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie can be reached at (906) 635-3230.  

All snowmobile, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operators, and other recreational users of the ice should avoid shipping channels, plan their activity carefully, and use caution near the ice. Ice fishermen, especially, should use caution when placing their ice shacks in proximity to the shipping channels.

Further inquiries can be made by phone to the Vessel Traffic Service at (906) 635-3232 or via email at [email protected].

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