Icebreaking at Thunder Bay, Ontario

December 21, 2021 

Sarnia, Ontario – The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents of Thunder Bay, Ontario that the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Katmai Bay will carry out icebreaking operations in the area, starting on or about December 22, 2021. The purpose of this operation is to break ice so commercial vessels can navigate safely in and out of the area.

The date is subject to change depending on operational requirements or weather conditions.

All ice surface users should plan their ice activities carefully, use caution on the ice and avoid the shipping lanes and icebreaking operations. Broken and fragmented ice tracks and ridging left behind by passing icebreakers or commercial vessels may not freeze over immediately. This can result in hazardous conditions for ice users. In addition, newly fallen snow will obscure ship tracks. Unsafe ice conditions can persist long after icebreakers have left the area.

At all levels, the Canadian Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard work closely together and have developed a longstanding partnership to provide icebreaking services in the Great Lakes.

Details of the Canadian/U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking partnership can be viewed here.