LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — The Coast Guard has officially shut down its icebreaking patrols on the lower Great Lakes, wrapping up a 98-day winter operation that kept shipping lanes open and island communities supplied.

The joint U.S.-Canadian mission, which began Jan. 6, covered a broad region from the St. Lawrence Seaway to southern Lake Huron. It ended April 14 after what officials described as “lack of ice coverage and complete waterway availability for commerce.”

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The binational effort—led by U.S. cutters Bristol Bay, Neah Bay, Morro Bay, and Mackinaw, alongside Canada’s Samuel Risley, Griffon, and Amundsen—logged more than 900 hours of icebreaking assistance. Their work directly assisted 141 commercial transits, according to the Coast Guard.

Beyond clearing tracks for freighters, the crews responded to search-and-rescue calls, helped prevent ice-related flooding, and delivered essential supplies for island residents.

With most of the ice now melted, the Coast Guard cautioned that some hazards may linger. Boaters are advised to take cold water risks seriously.

“Despite water temperatures rising, hypothermia can set in within a matter of minutes,” the Coast Guard said in a release.