Dear Member,
Below is a brief summary of the Notice from the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District regarding delayed deployment of seasonal aids to navigation.
- Spring deployment of cutter-serviced Aids to Navigation (ATON) will be delayed beyond the published Light List dates due to ongoing critical icebreaking operations, as the same cutters are assigned to both missions.
- Persistent cold weather and heavy ice, especially in the Straits of Mackinac, St. Marys River, and Whitefish Bay, have extended icebreaking needs and icebreaking crews are balancing operations between icebreaking and ATON restoration.
- The most significant ATON delays are in the St. Clair River, Detroit River, and Toledo entrance channel; mariners should use caution in these areas.
- Aids to Navigation Teams (ANTs) are actively servicing smaller buoys across the Great Lakes.
- Waterway-specific updates will be posted on the Maritime Safety Information Products page.
- Delays are expected to continue until cutters can fully transition from icebreaking operations.
- The USCG will adjust operations as conditions change.
Sincerely,
Farah Ahmad
Coordinator, Operations