Coast Guard Icebreaking Operations to Start in Midland on Georgian Bay, Ontario

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2014) - The Canadian Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police have warned that icebreaking operations will begin in various areas of the Great Lakes as seasonal conditions change.

The following area will see icebreaking activity in the near future:

• Icebreaking operations may begin as early as December 21, 2014 in the area of Midland on Georgian Bay, Ontario. The Canadian Coast Guard will be providing icebreaking assistance to the MV Frontenac.

Broken and fragmented icy tracks left behind by icebreaking operations and other ship traffic may not freeze over immediately. Newly fallen snow may obscure icebreaker and ship tracks and changes in weather contribute to unsafe ice conditions that may remain long after the ships have left the area.

All ice on or near the planned shipping routes and icebreaking operations should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits through these routes. The Canadian Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police are advising everyone to stay clear of these areas.

Public service announcements made prior to impending icebreaker and shipping activity are issued for the safety of all ice surface users, who can expect disrupted and unstable ice conditions related to icebreaking and shipping operations.

Dates and routes are subject to change with little or no notice due to weather, ice conditions, shipping schedules or other unexpected situations.

Please post and share with fellow ice surface users, so all surface users this winter may enjoy a safe winter season.

For broadcast:

Seasonal icebreaking operations are getting underway in the Great Lakes. All ice in the vicinity of the planned shipping routes should be considered unsafe during and after icebreaking and shipping operations. The Canadian Coast Guard and OPP are advising everyone to stay clear of these areas.

Quick Facts

• Icebreaking operations and shipping traffic create broken and fragmented ice conditions that may not freeze immediately creating unstable ice conditions in the area.
• All ice in the vicinity of planned icebreaking operations and shipping activity should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits.

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/DFO_MPO

For more information about the United States Coast Guard please visit: http://www.uscg.mil/d9/

For more information about the Ontario Provincial Police please contact: www.opp.ca