iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

It's over in Duluth. The Coast Guard’s huge 225' ice cutter named ALDER started its spring ice cutting operations out of the Port of Duluth. The ALDER is a so-called "multi-mission" buoy tenderer, homeported in Duluth. Its primary missions include ice breaking, law enforcement and search and rescue.

Once shipping lanes are established, it is usually not long before the Soo Locks, connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes, are opened. Oceangoing ships typically arrive in Duluth shortly thereafter. This year, however, the start of the commercial shipping season on the St. Lawrence Seaway is delayed due to high water levels.

A 710 feet long ship named the Honorable James Oberstar passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge on Monday making it the first laker to leave the Duluth harbor this season. She is headed for Two Harbors.