The Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards have signed an updated memorandum of understanding for icebreaking services in the Great Lakes region.
The renewed memorandum authorizes the temporary exchange of personnel on icebreakers to enhance familiarity with each other’s procedures when cooperating on joint missions.
Already this winter, the Canadian icebreaker Griffon has cleared shipping routes to ports in Pennsylvania and Ohio, while two U.S. cutters have worked on icebreaking near Thunder Bay and Port Colborne.
Another Canadian Coast Guard ship often berthed in Sarnia, the Samuel Risley, joined forces last month with U.S. cutters to free ice jams in the St. Clair River.
"With our partners at the United States Coast Guard we are truly one team supporting the safe, economical and efficient movement of ships in the heart of North America,” assistant regional commissioner Julie Gascon said at last month’s signing.