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VIDEO: US, Canadian Coast Guard open maritime lanes for commercial vessels

January 21, 2015

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay and the crew of Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley break ice in front of and around the Tug Everlast with the Barge Norman McLeod in the St. Clair River, Jan. 20, 2015.

In a combined effort with the Canadians, the Bristol Bay's crew helped the tug and barge travel from Sarnia, Ontario, to Windsor, Ontario, in less then a day.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Gould

CLEVELAND — The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards are continuing Operation Coal Shovel, the seasonal domestic ice breaking operations in the southern part of Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair and Detroit River systems, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

As of Sunday, U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers have logged 493 ice-breaking hours and assisted 53 vessels during Operation Coal Shovel, which began Jan. 8.

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards play essential roles in allowing the movement of vital iron ore, coal, salt, limestone, oil derivatives, cement and other cargoes.

U.S. and Canadian crew members coordinate, conduct and track maintenance, provide vessel assistance and conduct flushing operations to minimize the potential for residential flooding.

The mission of Operation Coal Shovel is to quickly reopen the Great Lakes maritime transportation system for the movement of commercial vessels that may become beset in the ice.

Media inquiries should be referred to Lt. Cmdr. Jillian Lamb, Sector Detroit public affairs officer, at 313-568-9587.

To report a person in distress or the need for search and rescue, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit Operations Center at 313-568-9560.

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