Sarnia, Ontario - The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents in the areas of northern Georgian Bay and the North Channel, on Lake Huron, in Ontario that the CCGS Samuel Risley and CCGS Judy LaMarsh will be conducting exercises in the areas from March 3 to 7, 2023, to simulate close quarter vessel escorting under controlled conditions.
This will provide the crew of the new vessel, the CCGS Judy LaMarsh, valuable training for when the vessel is assigned to joint Canadian-United States Coast Guard icebreaking operations on the Great Lakes.
It is recommended that all traffic on the ice, including pedestrians, fishers, snowmobilers, and all-terrain vehicle operators, leave the ice during icebreaking operations exercise. The ice may move, creating a real danger for anyone on it. Additionally, plan activities carefully and use extreme caution after operations are complete as the ice will remain unstable even once the vessels have left the area.
Icebreaking on the Great Lakes and connecting waterways is delivered in close co-operation between the Canadian and United States Coast Guards. By working together, the two Coast Guards ensure scheduled vessel traffic can move through the shipping channels and in and out of community harbours.
The date and assets are subject to change with no notice, as activities could begin before or after that period, depending on operational requirements or weather conditions.
