U.S., Canadian Coast Guard Renew to Icebreaking Partnership on Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard have renewed an icebreaking partnership in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway marine transportation system with the signing last month of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between their agencies.

The renewed United States/Canadian Coast Guard MOU strengthens the mutual commitment for ensuring vital icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes region including the main connecting navigable waterways, Georgian Bay and the St. Lawrence River from Tibbetts Point, New York, to as far east as Cornwall, Ontario.

“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,” said Gascon. “Our updated Memorandum of Understanding allows us to better share information, equipment and personnel between countries. By working together we ensure scheduled vessel traffic can move through the shipping channels and into and out of community harbours.”

“Our partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard is crucial for our mutual success on the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways,” said Nunan. “As the beginning of this winter’s severe conditions have demonstrated, we need to work together to provide seamless service to our communities and keep commerce flowing.”

The icebreaking MOU authorizes the exchange of personnel on Coast Guard icebreakers. Temporary exchanges, when conditions allow, will enhance familiarity with each other’s procedures when cooperating in shared waters, often on joint missions.

Icebreaking is one of the multiple mission areas where the collaborative U.S./Canadian partnership has grown. Similar agreements also exist between the two agencies for search and rescue, environmental response, maritime security and marine communications and traffic services.

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