Research and Development and Science Missions

Domestic Icebreaking Policy and Reporting Requirements - index
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operational priorities. The availability and adequacy decisions will be made by the

District Commander. Safety of assisted and assisting vessels is a prime consideration in

making these decisions.

Research and Development and Science Missions: Temporary deviations from this

instruction resulting in an expansion of icebreaking activities are permitted for research

and development or scientific purposes.

Icebreaking Safety: All domestic icebreaking shall be conducted with due regard to the

possibility of damage to other vessels, bridges and shore facilities. Assistance will be

provided to minimize the effect on riparian residents and to mitigate, minimize or

eliminate potential environmental damages. The movement of oil and hazardous

substances through ice covered waters may require the use of additional resources to

meet the associated hazards.

Ninth Coast Guard District Policy: The following policies apply to the Ninth Coast

Guard District only:

(1)

The Great Lakes navigation season ends January 15 of each year. This does not

preclude a short-term extension of the navigation season to accommodate a

regional economic crisis, emergency navigational problems, or other exigent

circumstances, such as search and rescue operations. This section does not

preclude necessary navigation assistance provided by the Coast Guard to

commercial vessels and ferries in interlake trade that do not transit the Sault Ste.

Marie locks.

(2)

The Ninth District Commander shall request and/or provide icebreaking

resources from/to the Canadian Coast Guard as circumstances require. The

exchange of resources shall be per the December 5, 1990 Extended Agreement

Between the United States of America and Canada concerning coordination of

Icebreaking Operations in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System.