The start of the 2026 Great Lakes navigation season included seasonal closures, harsh weather, and the beginning of ice-breaking season.
In January, cold winter temperatures and a series of powerful storms resulted in a number of closures, ice-breaking missions, and vessels beset by ice.
on January 2, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit commenced Operation Coal Shovel to maintain safe navigation and assist commercial vessel traffic.
Operation Coal Shovel is a joint ice-breaking operation with an area of responsibility spanning from southern Lake Huron to the St. Clair-Detroit River system and into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including the St. Lawrence Seaway.
U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers work together in these waterways as conditions worsen throughout the winter to ensure the ability to conduct search and rescue, facilitate navigation, and mitigate flood risks.
On January 14, M/V Lee A. Tregurtha encountered 6 to 8 inches of ice enroute to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. During the trip, the vessel was assisted by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay (WTGB 105), a 140-foot ice-breaking tug.
On January 14, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes closed Grays Reef Passage on Lake Michigan.
On January 15, the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan closed to all marine traffic through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform seasonal critical maintenance.
On January 15, the 1,000 foot bulk carrier American Spirit was the last ship to pass through the Soo Locks for 2025-26 navigation season. According to USACE, the ship took three hours to complete the lockage due to heavy ice in the approach canal and lock chamber.
After passing through the Soo Locks, M/V American Spirit was assisted by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay (WTGB 105). The cutter engaged in ice-breaking and escorting the carrier to Toledo, Ohio.
The Poe Lock was dewatered for the 2026 maintenance season and is scheduled to reopen on March 25. During the maintenance period, the MacArthur Lock will not be dewatered. MacArthur Lock is scheduled to reopen in late April 2026.
Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River announced it would close the Pipe Island Passage, east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reef Light to Sweets Point, on January 22, 2026. During the closure, the Pipe Island Course was designated as a two-way route.
On January 21, M/V Wilfred Sykes was beset by ice on Lake Huron. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB 30), a Great Lakes District ice-breaking cutter, assisted the bulk carrier.
In late January, the 650-foot M/V Algoma Intrepid encountered ice and was assisted by Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB 30) near Beaver Island on Lake Michigan.
On February 4, NOAA Research reported that during the previous two weeks, the ice extent for the Great Lakes had dramatically increased. By the first week of February, Lake Erie had 95% ice cover and the combined Great Lakes had an ice cover of 51%.
In early February, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB 101) assisted the 1000-foot M/V American Integrity, after becoming beset in ice while northbound in the St. Mary’s River.
In February, Algoma Central Corporation announced an agreement to acquire assets of Mainstay Maritime Inc. Formerly Rand Logistics, Inc., Mainstay operates a Jones Act-compliant fleet of Great Lakes bulk carriers.
The transaction includes Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. and its associated operating companies (collectively, “Lower Lakes”), as well as six associated Canadian-flagged vessels: Kaministiqua, Manitoulin, Robert S. Pierson, Saginaw, Michipicoten, and Valo.
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