News Release - March 6, 2006

NR-C&A-01-06E

SPRING ICEBREAKING OPERATIONS IN THE GREAT LAKES

PARRY SOUND - The Canadian Coast Guard wishes to inform people living in the areas near Parry Sound and northwards to Georgian Bay, or using those sectors, that spring icebreaking operations will begin along the normal shipping route on or about March 9th, 2006.

Parry Sound is the home port of CCGS Samuel Risley, a vessel which is now required to conduct icebreaking operations throughout the Great Lakes in order to facilitate maritime trade, to assist in the prevention of flooding due to ice jams, and to ensure the safety of vessel traffic along commercial shipping channels.

Owners of facilities on the ice should move them safely onshore or sufficiently away from the commercial channels. The Canadian Coast Guard strongly advises that pedestrians, fishers and snowmobilers leave the ice when they see the icebreaker in the immediate vicinity. Although all precautions are being taken, fractured ice may become hazardous and unstable, and may create a danger for anyone in the area.

CCGS Samuel Risley has a red hull with a transverse white band and a white funnel bearing a maple leaf.

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For more information:
Theresa Nichols
Regional Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
(519) 383-1804