The Coast Guard cutter Alder covered all the bases today (March 13, 2013), first going under the Lift Bridge and to the edge of the ice sheet, about 5 1/2 miles out. The ship made quick work of the ice, easily breaking open a track and then coming back in to break up more ice in the Superior channel to the BN dock and then up the St. Louis River just beyond the winter moorings of the Mesabi Miner at Midwest Energy. We then went into Howard’s … [Read more...] about Alder goes out in the lake
Coast Guard
Alder opens 2013 season
Spring has sprung
… and the Alder didn’t seem to have any trouble breaking the ice around her this morning (March 11, 2013) when she pulled away from her moorings, the first vessel to move in the port this new season. … [Read more...] about Spring has sprung
Winter in Duluth: Is it fun?
Click to see new video looking back at the winter (spring?) of 2007 More ice breaking videos: March 9, 2011; watch the Alder break ice in Duluth January 9, 2008: Alder out breaking ice as last boats come in for layup January 6, 2008: The ice breaker Biscayne Bay in DuluthNote: the Biscayne Bay will NOT be here to help the Alder break ice on Monday, March 11, 2013. The Alder will be breaking ice … [Read more...] about Winter in Duluth: Is it fun?
Getting ready for the Munson
The Alder returned to the Twin Ports early Friday morning (January 25, 2013) and went right to work clearing the path for the John G. Munson to take when she comes in, later today, to move to Fraser Shipyards for winter layup. Below, at 12:15 in the afternoon, the Munson finally came in (below) and officially closed the shipping season, we assume. … [Read more...] about Getting ready for the Munson
Mesabi Miner had ice in 2008
Go here for latest information: www.duluthboats.com … [Read more...] about Mesabi Miner had ice in 2008
That was then …
and this is now: For immediate release: Sunday, February 19th, 2012 Duluth, MN. —U.S. Coast Guard Station Duluth is issuing a warning that the unusually warm temperatures observed this year have greatly increased the possibility of weakened ice. "Ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly, major wet cracks and ice breaks have been recognized the last few days, with forecasted temps climbing to the high 30’s, this will only accelerate … [Read more...] about That was then …
Mackinaw here; maybe Thunder Bay later
The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw has been in the Twin Ports for a couple weeks for bow thruster repairs at the Fraser Shipyards. She is currently (Friday, December 16, 2011) moored at the DECC (above) but is expected to depart in the next couple days to begin another season of ice breaking on the Great Lakes. The US Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay departed their home port in Rockland, Maine to come to the Great Lakes to … [Read more...] about Mackinaw here; maybe Thunder Bay later
First ice and a breaker!
That is the Coast Guard cutter Biscayne Bay docked behind the DECC. Coincidently (??), the first ice of the season is just in front of her. I am entertaining captions for the picture. She has been here many times to help us fight the ice. Go to the Biscayne Bay page to see more pictures of her life and times while in Duluth Superior and a video from some years back. … [Read more...] about First ice and a breaker!
No ice today, just wind and sleet and cold
I know the weather is a little bad today but I wasn’t expecting to see the best ice breaker on the Great Lakes in town today (Saturday, November 26, 2011). The Canadian flagged Samuel Risley, usually here only when the ice is very bad, came to get a buoy that the Alder picked up for them. They are now docked behind the DECC, at least until Sunday and perhaps longer if the weather on the lake acts up, as is expected. … [Read more...] about No ice today, just wind and sleet and cold
Nice and warm; cold and ice coming
The Alder looked like they had a lot of folks on board enjoying the sun when they came into port on Saturday, October 22, 2011. They may have some sunny days from now until the end of the shipping season in mid-January, 2012 but the days won’t be so warm and the blue water will be replaced by lots of white. Listen to her celebrate her arrival nonetheless. … [Read more...] about Nice and warm; cold and ice coming
Alder breaks the ice on a new season
The US Coast Guard cutter Alder broke away from her dock and seemed to have an easy time moving around the harbor. Here she is passing by the American Century at her winter layup dock at the Port Terminal. Note from the ship: We made it safely through the harbor finding different thicknesses anywhere from 6 inches plate ice to re-frozen brash up to about 30 inches in some spots. Alder made it all the way through the Superior Front Channel … [Read more...] about Alder breaks the ice on a new season