iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

While Drifter continues his quest to extend the spring iceboating season, the U.S Coast Guard has different thoughts. The Coast Guard announced Friday that its huge ice cutter named ALDER will begin spring ice cutting operations out of the Port of Duluth on Tuesday. The ALDER is a 225' multi-mission buoy tender homeported in Duluth. ALDER's primary missions include ice breaking, law enforcement, and search and rescue. With the ice gone, the Soo Locks, connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes, are set to open March 25. Oceangoing ships will arrive in Duluth shortly thereafter.