The shipping season is almost over. But the ice in the harbor still needs clearing, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw was happy to help.

She’s been assigned duty for Operation Taconite, which is keeping the shipping channels clear for vessel traffic.

It’s the first time this crew has been in the Twin Ports.

Seaman Justin Lawson is from Florida, so ice isn’t something he’s used to. “Duluth is awesome, how it’s set up on the hill. It’s a really nice place,” he told us.

He told us he joined the Coast Guard so he could help people.

Chief Warrant Officer Chris Lobherr is a cold weather person. “I wanted to see Duluth for a long time. It’s been on my list to come see, and I’m really excited to be here.” He’s been on almost every ice breaker the Coast Guard has.

Their Executive Officer, Lt. Kyle Smith, shared that it’s been a few years since they’ve been able to do any ice breaking, due to the weather conditions. “So to get the opportunity to come up here to the Twin Ports, and train our new deck watch officers on ice breaking techniques has been really great for all of us on board,” he said.

He added that it’s rewarding to keep the lakers moving, so they can get their loads like iron ore down to the steel mills.

On Tuesday last week, the Lee A. Tregurtha was sailing in to load up at the CN ore docks. So the Mackinaw helped clear the path for her, with the help of the tug Missouri.

Their leader, Commander Jeannie Greene, is pumped up to be here. “We love that we can drive the ship right up to these massive loaders. We love that we get to be really close to some legendary ships like the Tregurtha, that we just got to interact with.”

The Mackinaw was her very first ship assignment, so it’s very meaningful for her to be the captain now. Greene’s sister Molly is the reason she became a Coastie. And Molly sailed on the original Mackinaw.

The Mackinaw is normally stationed in Michigan. But due to a problem with her crane, switched spots with the cutter Spar, which is now doing buoy duty down south.

The vessel has been here since the New Year, and is scheduled to leave soon to make it down through the Soo Locks before they close on the 15th.

Photographer Carl Sauer enjoyed using his creative juices to get different shots of the ice breaking.