SAFETY / LAKE SUPERIOR, ST MARYS RIVER, STRAITS OF MACKINAC AND LAKE MICHIGAN / ICE / SEC NGL BNM 0006-24 /
1. COMMANDER COAST GUARD SECTOR NORTHERN GREAT LAKES COMMENCED OPERATION TACONITE. A. AT THE START OF EACH VOYAGE OR TRANSIT, TO ENHANCE THE COORDINATION OF ICE BREAKING RESOURCES, COTP NORTHERN GREAT LAKES DIRECTS ALL SHIPPING COMPANIES TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL FOR THEIR VESSELS DOWNBOUND TO WHITEFISH POINT, UPBOUND TO DETOUR REEF LT, EASTBOUND TO LANSING SHOAL LT, WESTBOUND TO ROUND ISLAND, OR ARRIVING OR DEPARTING FROM ANY OF THE WESTERN SUPERIOR PORTS AND TERMINALS. B. SIMILARLY, FOR VESSELS OPERATING IN LAKE MICHIGAN IN THE PRESENCE OF ICE, ALL SHIPPING COMPANIES SHOULD PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL FOR VESSELS ENTERING THE STURGEON BAY SHIP CANAL, ROCK ISLAND PASSAGE OR WHEN ARRIVING OR DEPARTING ESCANABA, GREEN BAY, MARINETTE OR ANY OTHER PORTS AND TERMINALS WITHIN GREEN BAY. C. ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVALS MUST BE RECEIVED SIX HOURS PRIOR TO A VESSELS ARRIVAL TO ANY OF THESE POINTS OR ONCE A DAY BY 1000 (EASTERN). POSITION REPORTS MAY BE FILED WITH "SAULT TRAFFIC" EITHER BY LANDLINE (906.635.3299), FAX (906.635.3238), OR EMAIL (sootfc at uscg.mil). D. A VESSELS ETA MUST BE UPDATED WHENEVER THE ARRIVAL TIME CHANGES BY MORE THAN SIX HOURS. E. MARINERS ARE ASKED TO ESTABLISH VHF RADIO CONTACT WITH THE SERVICING ICEBREAKER ON VHF-FM CHANNEL 16 APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR BEFORE REACHING THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE AREA.
