Coast Guard Battles Winter Ice on Great Lakes

CLEVELAND — U.S. Coast Guard ships worked in icy waters on the Great Lakes on Jan. 21 to help large cargo boats that were stuck in ice.

Two Coast Guard cutters — the Mackinaw and the Neah Bay — broke ice so other ships could continue moving or reach safe harbor. The Mackinaw helped the Wilfred Sykes on Lake Huron and the Neah Bay helped the American Spirit on Lake Erie.

The Wilfred Sykes is a long freighter that was stuck in thick ice on Lake Huron. The Mackinaw broke through ice and freed the ship. After it was free, the Coast Guard cutter guided it into the Straits of Mackinac.

On Lake Erie, the American Spirit — more than 1,000 feet long — was having trouble moving through heavy ice. The Neah Bay broke ice around the vessel, allowing it to move again. The freighter later sailed on to Toledo.

These actions were part of two Coast Guard programs called Operation Taconite and Operation Coal Shovel. These missions focus on helping ships that are in emergency or hard-to-navigate ice conditions.

Operation Taconite works in areas like Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the St. Marys River. Operation Coal Shovel works on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the rivers that connect the lakes, including the Detroit River area.

Lt. Cmdr. Jeremy Tyrrell, the commanding officer of the Neah Bay, said the Coast Guard crews have been working long days to keep the Great Lakes waterways open. He said breaking ice helps ships carry goods that support the regional economy.

Lt. Cmdr. Jason Radcliffe, the Coast Guard’s deputy chief for waterways management in the Great Lakes District, praised the crews. He said they have been very dedicated and professional in helping the shipping fleet.

Severe cold and heavy ice in January have made it difficult for vessels to navigate parts of the Great Lakes this winter. Ice coverage in some areas has been above normal for this time of year.

©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.