It’s that time of the year again for the Samuel Risley.
The Parry Sound-based vessel will start icebreaking in Georgian Bay this Sunday. It’ll begin in the Owen Sound and Midland areas.
The annual operation is to open the waterways up for commercial vessels so they can move safely and efficiently into and out of the harbours. The start date is subject to change though, depending on things like the weather.
People who use the ice surface recreationally are being asked to plan their activities carefully, to use caution while out on the ice and to avoid the shipping lanes and the icebreaking operations.
Broken and fragmented ice tracks and ridging left behind by passing icebreakers or commercial vessels may not freeze over immediately making hazardous conditions that can last long after icebreakers have left the area.