US Coast Guard cutters Bristol Bay (WTGB 102), Neah Bay (WTGB 105), and Canadian Coast Guard ship Samuel Risley broke the Manitoulin free from the ice on 25 January after arriving on scene. The vessel had been stuck since 22 January in Lake Erie, but is now continuing its transit.
At 11:43 am on 22 January, the US Coast Guard Sector Eastern Great Lakes received notification from the Detroit Ice Desk regarding the Manitoulin, which became beset by ice outside of the Buffalo River break wall in Lake Erie. The Manitoulin is a self-discharging bulk carrier.
The Manitoulin, which had just lightered a shipment of rock salt, was immobilised by thick ice, a common occurrence during this time of year given the ice thickness in the region and fluctuating temperatures ranging from -18 to -9 degrees Celsius.
While stuck, there were no concerns regarding the safety or well-being of the vessel and crew members. The crew aboard the Manitoulin confirmed that the vessel had adequate fuel, provisions, and operational electricity.
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Icebreaking
US Coast Guard cutter Bristol Bay (WTGB 102) has worked since January 23 to free the beset motor vessel Manitoulin. On 25 January, US Coast Guard cutter Neah Bay (WTGB 105), a 140-foot ice-breaking tug home-ported in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley from Windsor, Ontario, arrived on scene to assist as well.
The ice breaking efforts are part of the bi-national ice breaking mission on the Great Lakes. The vessel was freed on 25 January.
Escort
After the ship was free, the vessels on scene escorted the Manitoulin through approximately 20 miles of ice from Buffalo, New York, and into open waters of Lake Erie on the evening of 25 January.
The Manitoulin is scheduled to meet US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB 30), a 240-foot heavy icebreaker, which departed from its homeport in Cheboygan, Michigan, on January 24. The Mackinaw will provide ice-breaking assistance and escort the Manitoulin to Sarnia, Canada, where it will remain for the winter season.
Picture: The Manitoulin being escorted through the ice (photo by US Coast Guard Great Lakes).
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