Ice in Lake Superior is not unusual. This photo is from 2019. “Beset in ice, the M/V Stewart J. Cort and three other Great Lakes vessels await the assistance of an icebreaker on Lake Superior.”

Marine Link reports,

“A little over a day and half since the Soo Locks opened providing access to Lake Superior and critical raw materials like iron ore, and the U.S.-flagged Great Lakes commercial fleet is at a standstill in the St. Marys River and Whitefish Bay, the critical connection between Lakes Superior and all other Great Lakes.”

Apparently USCGC Mackinaw has had an engineering casualty and is unable to help. A Canadian icebreaker was enroute, but diverted to help Canadian vessels.

“The early opening of the St. Lawarnce Seaway and Welland Canal (emphasis applied–Chuck) has put greater demand on a mission that is not adequately resourced. Prioritization of Canadian vessels and Canadian ports comes at the expense of American Lakers and American ports.”

There are plans to provide a second Mackinaw sized icebreaker for the Lakes and the Arctic Security cutters, when completed, will be able to enter the Lakes seasonally from East Coast ports. The smaller icebreaking tugs are also to be replaced.