Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley was working in Owen Sound harbour Saturday, March 16 in preparation for resumption of the commercial shipping season.

The Welland Canal opens March 22nd, and the navigational locks at Sault Sainte Marie reopen March 25th after their respective winter work periods. The St. Lawrence Seaway officially opens for the 2019 shipping season on March 26th.

The CCG reminds residents "All ice surface users should plan their ice activities carefully, use caution on the ice and avoid the shipping lanes and icebreaking operations. Broken and fragmented ice tracks and ridging left behind by passing icebreakers or commercial vessels may not freeze over immediately. This can result in hazardous conditions for ice users. In addition, newly fallen snow will obscure ship tracks. Unsafe ice conditions can persist long after icebreakers have left the area."

For more information please visit www.greatlakes-seaway.com

photo credit: Dawn Mitchell, Owen Sound