Clearing Ice for the Sugar Island Ferry

Supplied by the US Coast Guard…
SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI- The CGC BISCAYNE BAY conducted flushing operations south of the Sugar Island Ferry to create space for ice to move downstream away from the crossing. The cutter is now enroute to respond to a waterway restriction in the Straits of Mackinac. The ferry is able to cross in the event of an emergency.

Most of the St. Marys River is covered in ice, making it very difficult for ice to have any space to flow south of the ferry crossing. Delays to the Sugar Island Ferry service will continue until river current and wind push the ice downstream away from the ferry crossing. Warming temperatures may help to alleviate the ice blockage between the ferry crossing. If weather conditions do not flush the ice away from the crossing, the Coast Guard will assign another asset to the area when possible.

Two periods of very cold tempeartures mixed with two periods of warmer temperatures caused significant ice buildup in the St. Marys River. The ice is breaking away from the shore, flowing to the chokepoint between Sugar Island and Mission Point. A northern wind and the damaged ice boom on the northern side of the St. Marys River is adding additional ice to the area.

The Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW is currently moored and refueling at Sector Sault Sainte Marie. Their next assignment is St. Clair, MI for flood control.