Photo Gallery: Coast Guard Sector Detroit Begins Ice Breaking Operation Early

Canadian coast guard icebreaker Griffon and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay work to flush an ice jam in the St. Clair River, March 21, as part of Operation Coal Shovel during the 2009-2010 Great Lakes ice breaking season.

DETROIT RIVER - Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay cuts ice in the Detroit River in this photo taken during an ice patrol mission by an Air Station Detroit rescue helicopter crew, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011. Ice patrol missions provide valuable information for those on the Great Lakes taking part in Operations Taconite and Coal Shovel, the largest domestic ice breaking missions in the nation. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Jaquish, Air Station Detroit.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cutter Neah Bay breaks Great lakes ice approximately 50 miles east of Grosse Isle, Mich., on Jan. 21. Neah Bay, homeported in Cleveland, is participating in the Ninth Coast Guard District's Operation Coal Shovel. Under tactical command of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit personnel, Operation Coal Shovel covers ice breaking operations in all of lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and amajority of lake hron. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Air Station Detroit).

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cutter Neah Bay breaks Great lakes ice approximately 50 miles east of Grosse Isle, Mich., on Jan. 21. Neah Bay, homeported in Cleveland, is participating in the Ninth Coast Guard District's Operation Coal Shovel. Under tactical command of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit personnel, Operation Coal Shovel covers ice breaking operations in all of lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and amajority of lake hron. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Air Station Detroit).

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cutter Neah Bay breaks Great lakes ice approximately 50 miles east of Grosse Isle, Mich., on Jan. 21. Neah Bay, homeported in Cleveland, is participating in the Ninth Coast Guard District's Operation Coal Shovel. Under tactical command of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit personnel, Operation Coal Shovel covers ice breaking operations in all of lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and amajority of lake hron. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Air Station Detroit).

USCGC Mackinaw Breaks Ice In Lake Superior

Lights from the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, a 240-foot Icebreaker homeported in Cheboygan, Mich., illuminate the ice pack off the fantail of the cutter as the cutter spends a night in Western Lake Superior off Duluth, Minn., March 16, 2013. The Mackinaw (WLBB-30) is the only U.S. heavy ice breaking resource assigned to the Great Lakes and in addition to heavy icebreaking other missions of the crew include servicing buoys, search and rescue, law enforcement, and the ability to deploy an oil skimming system to respond to oil spill situations. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the USCGC Mackinaw

USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30) on April 2, 2005. Photo by Peter J. Markham.

What makes an icebreaker different from other vessels?  It is in the configuration of the bow, which is made to ride up onto the ice and the weight of the ship smashes the ice.

Keeping Up With Ice Conditions In Northeast

BOSTON - Coast Guard Tackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.

Maine - The 2013 icebreaking continues for Coast Guard units throughout the Northeast.

Coast Guard units from New Jersey to Maine have been busy breaking ice during the winter months and have been monitoring special aids to navigation in areas known to be impacted by ice. Additionally, Coast Guard-designated ice officers have met with and provided ice training to industry partners.

During the season, Coast Guard Auxiliary members conduct flyovers of areas prone to icing. The information they collect is then relayed to leadership throughout the 1st Coast Guard District.

Some of the most heavily impacted areas with ice this year have been the Hudson River in New York and the Penobscot River in Maine.

The 65-foot Coast Guard Cutters Hawser, Shackle, Tackle, Line and Wire, which are celebrating 50 years in service, have continued to operate in areas impacted with ice.

The Coast Guard breaks ice to:

Ensure fuel and energy products are delivered in time when communities need them.

Continue performing our port security operations, despite weather conditions.

Ensure we are able to respond to maritime emergencies.

Prevent or alleviate flooding.

Support delivery of household goods, food and medical supplies.

Conduct and support scientific research and development.

Protect and facilitate passenger and cargo ferry services.

Here are some things for mariners to be aware of this icebreaking season:

Icebreaking season is from December 17 through March 31.

Aids to navigation may be unreliable in areas impacted by ice due to current conditions. Report any discrepancies to the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Ch 16.

Always check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

Wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia.

Have all of the proper equipment such as a marine band radio and life jackets.

Restrictions may be imposed in local waterways during heavy ice conditions.

Ferry operation may be restricted at passenger terminals susceptible to ice.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Patrol units conduct daily overflights of areas impacted by ice.

Ice is driven by wind and current. It is important for prudent mariners to constantly evaluate ice conditions and make recommendations based on actual observed conditions.

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required if a facility needs to be cleared for mooring or unmooring with type and quantity of cargo.

BOSTON - Coast Guard Shackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.