The Captain of the Port for Sault Ste. Marie would like to remind the public that several channels are routinely closed in the St. Marys River and Straits of Mackinac area over the course of the winter.

Operation Taconite is the United States largest domestic icebreaking operation, encompassing Lake Superior and the Straits of Mackinac. During Operation Taconite, the Captain of the Port will close or open channels as ice condition require. Due consideration is given to the protection of the marine environment, waterway improvements, aids to navigation, the need for cross channel traffic (e.g. ferries), the availability of icebreakers, and the safety of the island residents transiting ice bridges.

The following channels are typically closed, as conditions require:

West Neebish Channel - the channel between Neebish Island and mainland Michigan.

Pipe Island Course - the area to the east and the north of Pipe Island.

Moran Bay - the body of water between Mackinac Island and St. Ignace.

South Channel - the channel between Bois Blanc Island and mainland Michigan in the vicinity of Cheboygan.

Grays Reef Passage

Under normal seasonal conditions, only one closing each winter and one opening each spring is done. When a channel is to be closed, the Captain of the Port will give a 72hr notification prior to its closure and Coast Guard Group Sault Ste. Marie will make this notification via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and using local media.

The Coast Guard reminds all recreational users of the ice to plan their activity carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from shipping channels. Recreational users and island residents should stay tuned to local media resources for the status of channel closures.

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