Ice Breaking Operations

[Nick]

At the request of the National Park Service, the Coast Guard will break out the west end of the Keweenaw Waterway, April 23. The Park Service plans to launch the RANGER III later in the week. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ALDER will approach from the west and then establish a track in the ice under Houghton-Hancock Bridge. The icebreaker will not transit Portage Lake and the east end of the Keweenaw Waterway. Alder will leave by the same track she arrived to avoid disrupting stable shore fast ice.

All recreational users of the Keweenaw Waterway should plan their activities carefully, and use caution near the ice.
Image may contain: ocean, sky, outdoor and water

[chief54]

I spent the years 77-79 on the USCGC Woodrush and Mesquite which were 180' ocean going buoy tenders out of Duluth. Spent 2 full winters on lake breaking ice while in summer tending all the aids to navigation on the lake. They were the best years of my Coast Guard career. Spent many a day breaking ice in Keweenaw Waterway and tying up at night at either west or east end and sometimes if we were lucky a stones throw from the Library Bar. Good times were had by all. I specifically requested to be stationed on these ships so I could get back to IR as a young man after first being brought there by my father as a 10 year old. IR had captured me as a boy I would take leave and have ship drop me at Windigo and 7-10 days latter get picked up at Rock. Image is pick up after 10 day trip in 78.Lived in Alaska in shadow of Denali for over 20 years and would head down to IR many times over the years. Heading out in June to IR for my 40th anniversary of my first trip there as an adult.

[Tightlines01]

Very cool Chief54. I'm sure you have so many great stories, enjoy your trip!

[Bigbearchaseme]

Can you break up the ice to beaver island so our plane can get in there Memorial weekend

[Ingo]

From the IRKPA Facebook page: "the 140' USCG Morro Bay icebreaker came through this morning".
Not sure if this link to the video will work without a FB account or not: https://www.facebook.com/brockit/videos ... 08290/?t=0

[Bigbearchaseme]

Makes it look like it is paper laying on the water as they go through it.

[Spyder1]

Anybody else see the boat activity today on the Mott Island webcam? Appeared to be a larger and smaller boat breaking ice? Hopefully something gives scheduled to fly into Windigo in a little over 2 weeks

[Midwest Ed]

According to Marine Traffic the 2 vessels are the NPS' small tug "Shelter Bay" and LCM "Angelique". Marine Traffic lists their destinations as Mott Island but it appears neither one has actually reached the dock yet, both a few hundred yards short. There's still enough snow on the ground they might have a difficult time finding the rock they left the front door key under.

NPS LCM Angelique


NPS Shelter Bay