A Canadian ice breaker is en route to Georgian Bay to open the approach to Midland harbour, where a great lakes bulk carrier is waiting to begin the shipping season. An American coast guard vessel tried more than a week ago to punch through the heavy ice with no luck.
Isabelle Pelchat, superintendent for ice breaking with the Canadian Coast Guard, says the Pierre Radisson is a larger vessel and should be able to open the harbour. She says the situation this spring is unusual because the ice is very dense, having been packed in by persistent winds.
As of Saturday morning, the Radisson was at the west end of Lake Erie and was due in Midland as early as Sunday.
