The Neebish Island News

Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River will open the waters between Nine Mile Point and Moon Island, effective 0800 EST March 12, 2010.

These preparations are being conducted in support of the March 21 opening of the Sault Locks and the start of the 2010 commercial navigation season.

The Coast Guard will make every effort to minimize the impact to Neebish Island ferry operations.

However, Neebish Island residents should prepare for minor service interruptions as the ice descending into the Rock Cut will most certainly prevent the ferry from operating normally.

The locks are opening early after the Corps received several requests from the shipping community and their customers to open early due to “an improved business climate” and to replenish critically low iron ore and coal inventories

Congressional negotiators reached a deal Tuesday that would effectively exempt 13 ships that haul iron ore, coal and other freight on the Great Lakes from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution.

“On Saturday we will make the initial cuts down by Mud Lake (Munuscong Bay),” said Director of Traffic Services Mark Gill, warning ATV operators, snowmobilers and ice fishermen to avoid any proximity to the shipping channels.

Some shipping companies have told the U.S. Maritime Administration that the problem has forced them to dock or even sell vessels. Others said it has kept them from expanding fleets, or caused delayed voyages and lost contracts.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported this year that transportation of wind turbines was the single largest factor in making fiscal year 2007 its most profitable.

"The growth is explosive," Paulson said. "There were times this season when we were moving 12 windmills a day. It's become the major portion of our heavy-lift business."

A threatened strike by Canadian lock workers on the St. Lawrence Seaway would shut down the inland waterway and could trap ocean vessels in the lakes for the winter, shipping sources warned.