The United States Coast Guard has begun its ice-breaking operations in Lake Superior. Operation Taconite seeks to prevent newly formed ice from hindering commercial vessel traffic. USCG Cutter Mackinaw has been assigned to manage the ice-breaking needs for the western end of Lake Superior. Specifically for ports in Duluth Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin.
The USCG Cutter Mobile Bay will work in Green Bay on Lake Michigan. The cutters Katmi Bay and Neah Bay will operate in the Straits of Mackinaw and the St. Mary’s River.
The Coast Guard’s operation in the Great Lakes will be the largest domestic ice-breaking operation in the country.