Icebreaking – Professional Mariner

26 Feb

Polar Star handles fast ice, wraps up Antarctic mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreaking, Licensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on Feb. 12 after operating for 51 days below the Antarctic Circle in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2024. Polar Star and crew broke a 38-mile channel through fast ice to create a navigable route for vessels to reach McMurdo Station and…

16 Nov

Polar Star departs for annual Antarctic resupply mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreaking, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed Seattle on Wednesday and are scheduled to transit to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Deep Freeze is an annual joint military mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the lead agency for the United States…

13 Jan

Lakes shipping delays point anew to icebreaker shortfall

Rich MillerMaritime NewsIcebreaking, shipping

(CLEVELAND) – The holidays were not kind to Great Lakes shipping when a massive bomb cyclone created a dangerous flash freeze situation. Once the winds subsided, lakers were greeted with stiff ice that had a tremendous impact on critical late-season raw material deliveries. Between Dec. 25 and Dec. 30, ships were halted in western Lake Erie and the Detroit River.…

29 Dec

Icebreakers get busy as Operation Coal Shovel begins

Rich MillerMaritime NewsIcebreaking, U.S. Coast Guard

(DETROIT) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday began Operation Coal Shovel, an annual domestic icebreaking operation ranging from southern Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair to the St. Clair/Detroit River system, and into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers work together in these waterways as conditions worsen throughout the winter to ensure the ability…

27 Dec

Defense bill to fund new Great Lakes heavy icebreaker

Rich MillerMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Icebreaking, shipbuilding, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — Thanks to the efforts of the Great Lakes congressional delegation, major milestones were reached with the passage of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023, according to the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. The bipartisan legislation authorizes $350 million for U.S. Coast Guard acquisition of a new Great Lakes heavy icebreaker. It…

25 Jul

Great Lakes group names Rep. Gallagher as Legislator of the Year

Rich MillerIndustry NewsIcebreaking, shipbuilding

(GREEN BAY, Wis.) – The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) on Friday recognized the commitment of Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., to protect and advance the Great Lakes maritime supply chain, naming him 2022 Legislator of the Year. Gallagher has spearheaded legislation that invests in shipbuilding on the Great Lakes, improves the maritime supply chain during the winter, and ensures…

17 May

Spring brings mixed bag for Great Lakes shipping

Rich MillerMaritime NewsCoast Guard, Icebreaking, shipping

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results for the start of the spring shipping season, with gains and losses heavily tied to global trading conditions and Lake Superior icebreaking resources. U.S. grain exports, steel imports, road salt and containerized goods were strong performers. “Inadequate icebreaking resources in Lake Superior had a major impact on cargo shipments out…

23 Mar

Chamber honors 3 lawmakers for Great Lakes icebreaker advocacy

Rich MillerIndustry NewsGreat Lakes, Icebreaking

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — As the shipping season officially opens this week, the Chamber of Marine Commerce is honoring three U.S. congressional leaders for their tireless efforts to increase U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard, in partnership with its Canadian counterparts, is responsible for breaking ice during the winter and spring to help ships safely…